Sir Peter Jackson included on World War I Centenary panel

Film director Sir Peter Jackson. Photo / Alan Gibson

Sir Peter Jackson and Carol Hirschfeld have been appointed to a panel planning events to mark the 100th anniversary of World War One in 2014.

Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson said the programme would include a range of activities and events for New Zealanders to take part in - at home and overseas.

Detailed announcements about the programme are expected in the next few weeks.

Mr Finlayson said the aim was to create a better understanding among New Zealanders of their military heritage and the impact of the First World War on families, communities and those who served overseas.

More than 100,000 New Zealanders served overseas from 1914 to 1918 from a population of barely one million. About 18,000 died and 41,000 were wounded.

The panel will be chaired by New Zealand Post chief executive Brian Roche who was project manager for the successful bid to host last year's Rugby World Cup.

The panel members are:

* Sir Peter Jackson, Academy award-winning director and producer

* Carol Hirschfeld, head of programming at Maori Television

* Rick Barker, former Minister of Veterans' Affairs

* Peter Biggs, managing director of Clemenger BBDO in Melbourne

* Bob Harvey, former mayor of Waitakere City

* Dr Wayne Mapp, Law Commissioner and former Minister of Defence

* Dame Anne Salmond, anthropologist and historian

* Dr Monty Soutar, historian and academic, and expert on Maori in wartime

* Matthew Te Pou, former Treaty of Waitangi settlement negotiator, farmer, coach of New Zealand Maori rugby team, and soldier, who served in Vietnam

* Cervantee Wild, winner of the National Bank RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition in 2011