A crowd of about 200 stood solemnly in Queens Garden as a 25-pound field gun fired twice to introduce two minutes of silence in central Dunedin this morning.
Padre Aaron Knotts led the service to mark the end of fighting in World War 1 with the signing of an armistice between Germany and the Allies on November 11, 1918.
Retired New Zealand Army colonel Roger McElwain said ceremonies like today’s Armistice Day in Dunedin should serve to remind people of the horrors and tragedy of war and that the human cost of conflict is to be avoided at all cost.
‘‘It is appropriate to say here, 'lest we forget'".
Several dignitaries laid wreaths at the base of the gardens’ cenotaph.
Bugler Ralph Miller played the Last Post and the service ended with the singing of the New Zealand national anthem.
In Arrowtown, silence descended over the war memorial as more than 60 people took part in the town's RSA Armistice Day event.
Former RAF fighter and Red Arrows Display Team pilot Roy Somerville acted as parade marshal.
Rev Dr Carlton Johnstone addressed the gathered veterans, Fire and Emergency New Zealand members, police and others, calling on residents of the newly voted Most Beautiful Small Town in New Zealand to remember inner beauty.
Bagpiper Roddy Maxwell called people to the service and Cory Ratahi gave a blessing.
After the minute's silence at 11am and wreath laying, people were invited to put their poppies in a World War 1 army helmet.
A dozen people attended a service at the Wanaka war memorial.
Among those attending was Avis Munro, of Wanaka, whose father Jim Roy was a lieutenant in World War 1 and was awarded the Military Cross twice.
The Ode of Remembrance was read by East Timor veteran Mat Plant.
The Alexandra-Clyde Returned Services' Association held commemorations for Armistice Day last Sunday, but a small informal gathering took place this morning at the Alexandra War Memorial.
After a reading of the Ode of Remembrance, cornet player Christine Wright performed the Last Post.
In Oamaru, a small Armistice Day commemoration held at Waitaki Boys' High School was attended by about 40 people.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said it was significant to host it in the school's Hall of Memories, as it was built in memory of those who sacrificed so much during World War 1.
Waitaki Boys' pupils Dominic Walsh and Matthew Slemint gave the address and Ode of Remembrance, while Oamaru Garrison Band member Ray Walker performed the Last Post and Reveille.
SOUTHLAND
In Invercargill, about 50 people attended a service at the Invercargill Cenotaph.
Invercargill RSA chairman Norm Wilson said it was an improvement on the year before.
He said there was a range in ages of those who attended.
"It's good to see a lot of younger people here too."
A service was also held in Tapanui in West Otago.
- Staff reporters
