Anzac Day services are taking place around the country and the world, with thousands attending dawn services, parades and commemorations.
As well as veterans, civic leaders and the public, Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel were at services in remembrance of Kiwis who have served in war, conflicts and peacekeeping missions, said Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies.
“Senior NZDF [New Zealand Defence Force] personnel represented the New Zealand military at ceremonies in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, as well as South Korea, where an NZ Army platoon is training alongside local troops.
“Further afield, the day will be commemorated by staff stationed in South Sudan, the Middle East and in the United Kingdom, where Ukrainian troops are being trained.”
In Turkey, a contingent of NZDF personnel were supporting and participating in commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Davies said.
More than 8000 Kiwis arrived on the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25, 1915, as the Allies unsuccessfully attempted to capture the Strait of Gallipoli from the Ottomans.
By the campaign’s end in January 1916, some 2779 had been killed – close to a sixth of those who had landed there.
Today marks the 111th anniversary of the land invasion, the first significant military campaign involving Australian and New Zealand armed services, and ongoing services are taking place around the country today (listed below).
This year also marked 110 years since the New Zealand Division arrived on the Western Front during World War I, Davies said.
He was at Pukeahu National War Memorial in Wellington, where the national Anzac Day service was held at 11am.
“We remember those who, in moments of great uncertainty and danger, placed the needs of others above their own – not for recognition or reward, but because it was right to serve.
“That spirit was present on the shores of Gallipoli, carried through the hardships of two world wars, and sustained across decades of peacekeeping, conflict and humanitarian service.”
It was about honouring those who didn’t return and acknowledging the families who “carry their absence still”.
“Their sacrifice is woven into our national story and into our shared identity.”
This year was also the 75th anniversary of Kap’yong, where the Commonwealth Brigade fought a defensive battle against a Chinese division at Kap’yong in South Korea in April 1951, Davies said.
“Filling a gap in the United Nations line, the Royal New Zealand Artillery’s 16 Field Regiment played a vital supporting role.”
It also marked the 25th anniversary of the arrival of New Zealand combat troops in Afghanistan, and 2026 was the first time contemporary veterans were officially recognised as part of Anzac Day.
“Their service continues quietly, often unseen, yet always grounded in the same values of duty, courage, and commitment.”
Dawn services took place around Auckland, with the largest at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
A list of local remembrance ceremonies is available here. Dawn services have been completed, but later commemorations are planned in some towns and cities.
In Whangārei services still to take place include at Onerahi Community Hall and Maungakaramea Sports Club from 11am.
At 11.40am a civic parade starts at the Memorial Hall in Whangamatā. A wreath laying and the opening of the remembrance wall will follow.
In Tauranga, a dawn parade and combined civic service with Mount Maunganui has already taken place.
A dawn service took place at 6am.
The Napier Sound Shell is hosting a civic service at Memorial Square at 11am.
In Hastings, the dawn parade is being followed by civic services continuing throughout the day.
The Marton RSA and Citizens Memorial Hall is hosting a service at the Marton Park World War I Cenotaph at 2pm.
A civic service took place at 10am at the Cenotaph in New Plymouth.
The Anzac Day National Commemoration Service is taking place at Wellington’s Pukeahu National War Memorial Park at 11am.
Other civic services around the city can be found here.
A civic Anzac service will be held at Nelson Cathedral at 11am.
A dawn parade and service have already taken place in Cathedral Square.
Other commemorations will be happening across Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula and can be found here.
Several services have already taken place in Timaru, but commemorations continue at the Timaru Town and Country Club, with a performance from the Drama Queens from 1pm to 4pm.
Dawn services have already taken place in Dunedin and Queenstown.
The Invercargill dawn service has ended, but a civic service is taking place at 44 Gore St, Bluff, from 10.30am, followed by a Memorial March at 11am.