The ongoing reality of war was a common theme as the sun rose on Anzac Day dawn services across the South yesterday.
Those who had risen early to attend them were reminded not only of the sacrifices many made on the shores of Gallipoli, but in continuing conflicts all over the world.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was at the top of many people’s minds, with the conflict spoken of at services across the South, and the country.
With a fine, still weather forecast proving correct and the move to the Orange setting two weeks ago, things fell into place for the day, 107 years after New Zealand soldiers landed at Gallipoli in Turkey.
The service could go ahead with no limits on capacity, but many chose to wear masks.
Giving the main address in Dunedin, Royal New Zealand Navy Captain Shaun Fogarty acknowledged the service of veterans and touched on the issues people around the world were facing today, such as those fighting in Ukraine.
"We should not shy away from recognising that there are those in the world who are prepared to use violence in its most extreme forms in an effort to achieve their aims."
Wreaths were laid by representatives of various organisations, including the RSA, navy, army and the city and regional councils.
In Bluff, special mention was made of four young men killed in a crash on Friday.
Invercargill held a stand-at-your-gate service instead of a gathering.
Crowds were reportedly large in Queenstown with one of the biggest turnouts in many years.
The Ukraine conflict was a common theme also spoken about during services around the region.
Further afield, Ukraine’s flag was flown alongside New Zealand’s as 2000 people gathered for a dawn service at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Tamaki Paenga Hira.
Dawn services are also being held around the world, including at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli for the first time since 2019, honouring those who served in world wars and subsequent conflicts.
In Auckland, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called the Ukraine conflict a "grim reminder of the fragile nature of peace, and the devastating impact of war on people’s lives".
In Wellington, more than 400 people gathered for a national dawn service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, where Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro delivered the Anzac address.
Chief of the Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin Short read extracts from the diary of 19-year-old Sergeant Vincent Arthur from Inglewood, who took part in New Zealand’s desperate defence of Singapore in 1942.
Sgt Arthur was shot down over the coast of Singapore and has no known grave, but is commemorated at the Singapore memorial, RNZ reports.
Christchurch’s traditional Anzac Day dawn service in Cranmer Square was not held due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A service was livestreamed at 10am from Christchurch’s Transitional Cathedral.
