At Chunuk Bair, Kiwis endure icy dress rehearsal

It didn't just rain, it poured. But the icy weather did little to deter the Kiwi contingent dress rehearsal for Saturday's New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair.

The skies darkened and then opened as the run through began at the foot of the imposing Chunuk Bair memorial yesterday afternoon.

New Zealand Defence Force contingent leader Lieutenant Colonel Mike Duncan told the Herald the contingent - made up of the NZDF Band, Maori culture group, Youth Ambassadors and catafalque guard of honour - had been rehearsing for months.

He was "outstandingly proud" to see them at Chunuk Bair performing their duties.

The group have been rehearsing for months and yesterday morning practiced their individual parts before coming together for a full run through.

As NZDF principal chaplain Lance Lukin began to speak, the rain began to fall. His voice did not falter.

A stirring waiata sent more shivers than the bitter wind, the sound of the conche shell rang out over the site and the catafalque took position around the base of the memorial.

A stand in for the dignitaries, including Prime Minister JOhn Key, then read several addresses. These will be read by Mr Key and others in person on Saturday.

A number of songs will be performed at the service, which specifically commemorates New Zealand's contribution and loss during the 1915 Gallipoli campaign.

Among the songs on the order of service are Whaakaria Mai (How Great Thou Art) and Pokarekare Ana, led by Navy reservist and NZDF band singer Rebecca Nelson.

Nelson is also performing the national anthem at the dawn service earlier on Saturday.

New Zealand's 25 Youth Ambassadors will play a significant role at Chunuk Bair, and yesterday stood proud, dressed in black shirts bearing the silver fern, and rehearsed alongside the band.

The group had spent the days before taking tours of the battlefields and cemeteries.

Aidan Smith, 18, told the Herald it had been an emotional week.

"Looking at the graves of some of the boys and men that fell... there were tears," he said.

"At one cemetery there were six in a row that were 18 years old. It really hit home - that's someone my age, my friends' age."

Aidan said despite the sadness of Gallipoli, the group were enjoying the trip.

"We have had a lot of fun, it's a great atmosphere and there is a real sense of unity.

"But at the same time we are here for a reason. ANzac Day has always been a big part of my life and to be over here now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Jessie Chiang, 19, said she had no personal link to the Anzacs but she felt a connection to Gallipoli and what happened there 100 years ago.

She wanted to spread the message that all New Zealanders, regardless of their background, should commemorate the fallen.

"My father served for four years in the Taiwanese Army, my brother is in the Navy. Immigrants who come to New Zealand either feel they are not a part of Anzac Day or they think it's not important.

"What I want to do is try and prove that you don't need a personal connection to commemorate the ANzacs."

She was also moved by her visit to the battlefields and burial grounds.

"It has been pretty emotional. Just going in and looking at the graves and the ages some of the words that are engraved on them was really hard hitting," she said.