Large crowds turned out in towns and cities nationwide to mark Anzac Day at dawn and at events throughout the day.
"The turnout was absolutely magic," Eric Beeby, president of the Bulls Returned Services Association said of the dawn service in his town yesterday.
Troops who
served in the MiddleEast and Afghanistan joined the veterans at one of the biggest parades and services the town had seen, he said.
Schoolchildren watched as elderly veterans and others laid wreaths. The veterans later adjourned to the RSA clubrooms for breakfast.
"As time goes on, the generations are getting more aware of Anzac Day and the RSA spirit. It is quitesatisfying," Mr Beeby said.
The spirit was celebrated nationwide.
In Mt Maunganui, crowds gathered at the cenotaph for the dawn service and later there was a citizens' service at 9.30am.
In Greymouth, after the dawn service, a bus departed for a Blackball sub-branch service at 11.30am.
In Kaitaia there was a dawn service and citizens' service at 11am, and in Bluff the dawn service was at 6.45am and the citizens' service at 10.45am.
In Wellington, several thousand people attended the dawn service, which was the first of several events in the capital.
There were no protesters at the service, and the only hitch was a delay to a rifle volley.
Defence chief Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae read the address at the service outside the Wellington Cenotaph.
Many people gathered yesterday were remembering family who had served in past wars and also those now deployed overseas.
"Anzac Day is a time to think of families and consider the strain placed on the families of our service people," he said.
"Above all, though, we remember the men and women who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy our lives."
Thousands turned out for the dawn service in Christchurch's Cathedral Square, where the weather was also fine.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopter from Ohakea flew over Cathedral Square at the end of the service.
- NZPA
