Thousands turned out to pay their respects on Wednesday during Anzac Day services in Queenstown and Arrowtown, remembering those who had put "service over self".
In Queenstown, the annual parade departed from the Queenstown war memorial, in Marine Pde, led by the Queenstown and Southern Lakes Highland Band, followed by war veterans and authority officials.
Also marching in the parade were servicemen, Queenstown's scouts and girl guides, St John youth cadets and descendants of those who fought or were otherwise involved in conflicts.
At the memorial service, Queenstown RSA president David Geddes paid particular tribute to the Australian servicemen who fought alongside New Zealand men at Gallipoli.
In response to derogatory comments made earlier this week by a New Zealand journalist, he said: "There are no other servicemen we would rather work with than our friends from across the Tasman."
He reflected on the "memory and spirit of the original Anzacs" and the price they paid so New Zealanders could have "the freedom we sometimes take for granted today ... That freedom came at a dreadful cost and we must cherish it."
He admitted he had questioned whether the price was too high, only to remember "what could have been".
Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Debra Lawson acknowledged the 93 Wakatipu servicemen who lost their lives fighting for New Zealand and said "all of us are here, above all, to show respect for the soldiers".
The ceremony continued outside, where people gathered in silence to watch the lowering of the New Zealand flag to the sound of the Last Post before poppies and wreaths were placed under the cross and the flag was raised again.
Meanwhile in Arrowtown a record crowd turned out and there was standing room only in the Athenaeum Hall for the official service, led by Arrowtown RSA president John Lindsay.
The service was broadcast into the hall foyer and on to Buckingham St, ensuring the crowds outside the hall were also a part of the service.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden paid tribute to those who fought for New Zealand's freedom and to their families for the sacrifices they had made.
Following the moving speech God Of Our Fathers was sung, during which a collection was taken for the welfare of disabled service personnel.
The service concluded with the New Zealand national anthem and the official party, including war veterans, RSA members, Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Brigade personnel, members of the New Zealand Police and the Arrowtown Scouts and Cubs, filed out into Buckingham St.
The procession was led from Buckingham St to the Arrowtown war memorial by the Queenstown and Southern Lakes Highland Pipe Band.
Members of the Arrowtown community - including many children - paid their respects at the memorial, where wreaths were laid by Ms van Uden on behalf of the council, and Mr Lindsay on behalf of the Arrowtown RSA and the Arrowtown Scouts and Cubs.
The service concluded with Martin Wightman, of Frankton, playing the Last Post and the New Zealand flag lowered and raised by Jamie Sage (13) and Annabelle Jones (9), of the Arrowtown Scouts and Cubs, while the hundreds gathered reflected quietly in front of the memorial, bathed in autumn sun.
