The National Army Museum in Waiōuru will host an Anzac Day service at 11am.
Anzac Day will be commemorated across the country on Saturday followed by a public holiday on Monday.
It is marked annually on the anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign, to which more than 16,000 Kiwi soldiers were sent during World War I. Anzac Day also honours returned and serving personnel.
Public events will be held around the region on Saturday.
In 1936, Whanganui was the first city in New Zealand to hold a dawn service, according to the Whanganui District Council website.
Whanganui dawn ceremony
People are invited to meet outside the Davis Library in Pukenamu Queen’s Park at 5.45am. The parade will start at 6am and head to the Whanganui War Memorial Centre forecourt for a service of commemoration at 6.15am.
“Our guys will march down, with speeches and a brekky at the St John’s Club afterwards,” Whanganui RSA president Pieter Boks said.
Pākaraka service
The service starts 9.30am at the Waitōtara County War Memorial.
Brunswick service
The service starts 10am at the Brunswick War Memorial opposite Brunswick Hall.
Whanganui Māori Battalion ceremony
A ceremony for the 28th Māori Battalion is at 11am at Pākaitore (Moutoa Gardens).
Feilding
RSA Hall opens at 5.30am. Assemble on Bowen St at 6am. Parade steps off at 6.20am. Dawn service at the Soldiers Memorial at 6.30am.
The parade will return to the RSA Hall afterwards for a breakfast run by the Feilding Cadet Unit, $10 per person.
Check the Manawatū District Council website for other services in the district.
There will be three dawn parades across the Rangitīkei District, along with other services.
Marton
Dawn parade and service at 5.55am sharp outside BJW Motors, Wellington Rd. Gather at 5.45am before an address by parade marshall Colonel Bede Fahey. Marton RSA invites people for free light refreshments in the hall afterwards. At 7.30am, breakfast ($10 per person) will be available at Aunty’s Cafe & Grill in conjunction with Anton’s Bar.
A brief graveside service will be held at 9am in the RSA section of Mount View Cemetery. Off-road parking only.
Cenotaph and wreath-laying service at 2pm in front of the WWI Cenotaph in Marton Park. Service conducted by Reverend Robin Peirce; bugler Barry Williams.
Taihape
Dawn parade to the Town Hall and service at the cenotaph at 6am. RSA members are to form up opposite the Town Hall at 5.45am. Attendees are invited to the Workingmen’s Club for breakfast afterwards.
Turakina Cenotaph
The Turakina ceremony is at 10am at Turakina School with a community service followed by an outside memorial at the cenotaph. All are welcome for a shared morning tea afterwards at the school.
Bulls
Dawn parade and service at 6am. Dawn parade at the cenotaph, fall in at 5.45am outside the RSA on High St. Breakfast at the RSA at 7am, $10 per person.
Service at the Bess Memorial on Forest Rd at 9am.
Hunterville
Dawn parade and service at 5.45am. Gather outside the RSA Hall on Bruce St (near Shemozzle office) before marching to the cenotaph. Attendees are invited for a warm drink at the RSA Hall, with breakfast at The Argyle afterwards.
Ōhingaiti
A short service will be held outside the Ōhingaiti Hall at 10.30am, followed by tea or coffee. People are welcome to bring a short note about family members who served.
Mangaweka
Meet at the Assembly of God Church at 5.45am then march to the memorial gates at Mangaweka School for a service.
Ōhakune
Meet at the Memorial Gates at 10am. Following the service, RSA, previous and current service personnel and their families are welcome for light refreshments at Ōhakune Fire Station.
Raetihi
Service at 7am at The Centre, Seddon St, before marching to the two cemeteries. The service will be followed by breakfast at the Raetihi Cosmopolitan Club.
Waiōuru
The 11am service outside the National Army Museum will feature an international children’s choir and 100 army recruits who are doing their basic training at Waiouru Military Camp.
The New Zealand Army is supporting the service, which features a catafalque guard and a bugler from the New Zealand Army Band.
Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Williams will deliver the address and retired Colonel Ray Seymour will give a reading.
Check Ruapehu District Council’s website for other services in the district.
Noam Mānuka Lazarus is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle.