New Zealanders may have differences in culture, language and religion, but all share in the "tragic legacy" of armed conflict and war, the Governor-General has told an Anzac Day service in Wellington.
Sir Jerry Mateparae was addressing hundreds of Kiwis who attended the dawn service at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park to mark the 101st anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in which 2721 Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought and died.
They were joined by tens of thousands of others throughout the country and in Australia who paid tribute this morning to those killed.
Dawn Service at Pukeahu #AnzacDay2016 pic.twitter.com/QaJPGwqANx
— Governor-General NZ (@GovGeneralNZ) April 24, 2016
"It is a sacred ritual for us to meet at dawn on this day, because that is when the men of the Australian and New Zealand and Army Corps, the Anzacs, first landed on the beach of Gallipoli 101 years ago today," Sir Jerry told those gathered.
"We know that the Australians landed first, to be followed, later in the morning, by the New Zealanders. The commemorations have cast a spotlight on events that changed our nation forever.
"They have also sparked a renewed interest in our family histories. We want to know and understand about how our family members were affected by the First World War.
"New Zealanders may have their origins in very different cultures, speak different languages, and worship in different ways. What we all share in our histories is a tragic legacy of armed conflict and war. Surely we wish it were otherwise. Surely, our hope is that there will be a time when war and conflict are consigned to history."
Sir Jerry acknowledged the men and women of the Defence Force who serve their country "loyally and honourably".
"Anzac Day is especially significant for New Zealanders who are far from home and family. We wish our service men and women well today, wherever they may be. We also wish that for the men and women from Australia serving their country."
A wreath was laid by Sir Jerry, Lady Janine Matepere, the Australian High Commissioner Peter Woolcott and Turkey ambassador Yesim Say.
Prime Minister John Key attended the service and released a message and video to pay his respects.
Today we remember those who fought for the values that underpin our country.https://t.co/fhXw8URAxF
— John Key (@johnkeypm) April 24, 2016
"We remember their incredible courage and bravery as well as their unity, which helped to forge the Anzac bond and reputation that endures to this day. We wouldn't be the country we are today without their sacrifice," Mr Key said.
Private Tukotahi Phillips, a Reserve Force soldier in 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, brought his one-month-old son, Rawiri to the dawn service.
The boy was dressed similar to his dad, who is based at Trentham Military Camp in Upper Hutt, in a full camouflage onesie, green hat with a poppy on it and his dad's medal on his lapel.
"We'll be taking him to the dawn service every year," Mr Phillips told the New Zealand Herald. "My dad served in the army in the infantry regiment and I'm wearing his medals as well as mine."
Graham McColl's father and his father's three brothers all fought in World War I. One of his uncles died, he said.
Mr McColl, who turns 80 this year, has attended the dawn service for the past eight years. He proudly wore his father's war medals and also wore his Order of Merit medal he gained for his services to hospitality at Waikato Polytechnic.
Auckland Domain packed
A huge crowd gathered at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, where Turkish exchange student Yigit Can Kaya delivered the Anzac dedication.
Was so proud to be a Kiwi this morning at Auckland's ANZAC Day Dawn Service #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/Ki89xZlRwe
— Katie Perkins (@KT_Perky) April 24, 2016
Mr Can Kaya, 18, who is from Istanbul and has just arrived in New Zealand for a two week-long exchange at Auckland's Rangitoto College, only discovered yesterday he would be taking part.
But as he stood on the outdoor podium facing the memorial cenotaph he said he thought of those young men who had lost their lives in war from his school.
"Taking part certainly made me think about the students from our school who fought and died and it made me think it could have been me."
Mr Can Kaya said he was honoured to be selected for the role. "I will never forget this day."
Auckland Mayor Len Brown said it was a special, emotional event and the importance of Anzac Day for the young has not diminished but continued to strengthen as shown by the numbers attending today.
Bruce and Jean MacQueen, of Auckland, said it was an especially poignant occasion.
"We both have family members that have fought and now our two children are singing in the Auckland Youth Choir. My granddad was in Egypt. I can't put into words what this morning means," Mrs MacQueen said.
The service ended with a low flyover by an Air Force Orion. The crowd broke into applause as veterans and the pipe band leave the Cenotaph forecourt. Special applause was reserved for an elderly war veteran slowly making his way up the museum steps.
Hamilton and Bay of Plenty
In Hamilton, the rain held off as locals remembering those who lost their lives stood and gathered at Memorial Park this morning.
They included Alex Falconer, of Taupo, who served in the Air Arm fleet during the end of World War II. The 91-year-old joined his family for the Hamilton service.
Don Macdonald, and wife Marian, said they always tried to attend the early morning service.
Mr Macdonald served in the army for five years from 1970 to 1975, while Mrs Macdonald's father and grandfather served in the Second and First World War, respectively.
"It's a wonderful thing and if it wasn't for them we wouldn't be where we were today," she said.
In Rotorua, large crowds gathered at the Muruika War Cemetery at Ohinemutu. Resident Angela Swann-Cronin became the first Maori woman to give an Anzac address, and talked of her great-great grandfather who was killed in the Battle of Somme 1916.
People gathered for a dawn service at Tauranga's Returned Services' Association cenotaph. And in Mount Maunganui, hundreds of people attended at the cenotaph on Marine Parade to pay their respects.
1600 white crosses illuminated in Christchurch's Cranmer Square for ANZAC Day pic.twitter.com/dkEqTZ78qv
— Charlotte Lewis-West (@clewiswest) April 24, 2016
103-year-old leads Christchurch march
Thousands gathered in Christchurch's Cranmer Square for the Dawn Service. World War II veteran Bill Mitchell, aged 103, led a march by personnel from the Christchurch Returned and Services Association (RSA) on Armagh St.
Mr Mitchell, who served with the RNZAF as an aircraft engineer in the Pacific, was driven in a US jeep at the head of the parade alongside the New Zealand Army Band.
The ANZAC Dawn Parade in Christchurch-always a moving experience. Lest we forget. pic.twitter.com/U7A0McMByi
— Nicky Wagner MP (@nickywagner) April 24, 2016
The Dawn Service began at 6.30am at the memorial cenotaph in the park. More than 1600 white crosses have been placed in the square, representing the number of Cantabrians killed in the war, up to this point, 100 years ago.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel welcomed the large crowd and urged them to remember those who gathered a century ago and to share in their sense of loss.
Warrant Officer Jamie Osbourne just gave an emotional address on behalf of Australia, remembering all service people during all wars and conflicts of last century.
The New Zealand Army Band received a round of applause after performing Dave Dobbyn's Welcome Home, which was sung at Chunuk Bair at last year's centenary commemorations at Gallipoli.
