Thousands of red poppies float down over soldiers from the Wellington Company 5/7 Battalion marching in Wellington's Anzac parade yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Thousands of red poppies float down over soldiers from the Wellington Company 5/7 Battalion marching in Wellington's Anzac parade yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Roll of Honour begins emotional ceremony for Anzac centenary.
One hundred years ago today the Anzacs landed at Gallipoli to fight for king and country.
If only they could see the place today - the sparse and unforgiving terrain of Anzac Cove and beyond transformed for thousands of their countrymen and descendants to remember them.
At 2.30pm NZ time today, the sun will rise over Anzac Cove and the Dawn Service will begin.
By then, 10,500 attendees, dignitaries and VIPs will be in place, most having spent the night out on the battlefield.
In the hours leading up to the centenary the peninsula was closed to the public. Only accredited media and personnel involved in the commemoration and related services such as food and drink vendors, are allowed access.
Security was bolstered with check points along the road to Anzac Cove and tents where attendees will have their passes scanned had airport-style screening gates installed.
The commemoration site is slightly further north of Anzac Cove.
Details have been released about the overnight reflective programme, and it is understood Prime MInister John Key will informally address Kiwis in the crowd soon after it begins.
A dedication to the fallen soldiers will run at the start of the programme and then documentaries about Gallipoli will screen.
Military bands from both New Zealand and Australia will perform and government historian Ian MacGibbon will present a live history segment.
Prime minister John Key visits the memorial and cemetery at Quinn's Post on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Photo / Alan Gibson
Youth ambassadors who earned a place at the commemoration, including Caitlin Papuni McLellan from the Bay of Plenty who won the prestigious ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition, will take part in the programme.
The prize is named in honour of the only New Zealander to be awarded the highest military decoration for valour, the Victoria Cross, from the Gallipoli conflict.
Just after 5am the main event will begin with the Roll of Honour, during which the names and epitaphs of some Anzacs who died at Gallipoli will appear on big screens.
The segment is accompanied by the Gregory Terrace - All Hallows' Gallipoli Choir.
Then, after a period of silence, the New Zealand Defence Force Maori culture group will perform a stirring karanga (call to gathering) and the Dawn Service will begin with an introduction by Master of Ceremonies Major General Mark Kelly.
Mr Key will be the first dignitary to speak, followed later by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Prince Charles will also deliver a reading.
The service ends with the Ode of Remembrance read by NZDF chief Lieutenant General Tim Keating, the playing of the Last Post and a minute's silence before the national anthems of New Zealand, Australia and Turkey.
