Anzac Day commemorations get underway in Bay

A woman pays her respects at Tauranga's RSA in Greerton. Photo/George Novak

A huge crowd has gathered in Mount Maunganui to commemorate Anzac Day with a dawn service.

A massive crowd gathers at Mount Maunganui's Anzac Day dawn service. Photo/Scott Yeoman

People are still trickling in as the formalities get underway, with the crowd singing New Zealand's national anthem.

The anthem was led by Mount Maunganui College's Ella Cox shortly before a moment's silence was observed and a prayer said.

Cox completed the service with a beautiful rendition of Sons of Gallipoli.

Soldiers march at Greerton's RSA early this morning before Anzac Day commemorations get underway. Photo/Samantha Motion

Soldiers march at this morning's Anzac Day commemorations in Tauranga. Photo/George Novak

Meanwhile, at least 300 people have gathered at the memorial behind the RSA in Greerton as Anzac commemorations get underway.

The march has begun, the Scottish band leading a parade of proud veterans, stepping in time. Servicemen and servicewomen and cadets bring up the rear, followed by children.

After a prayer by Reverend Sam Held and the dedication read by Tauranga RSA president Heather Waldron, she and Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless laid wreaths.

A crowd of about 400 applauded as a parade marked the end of the ceremony in Greerton.

Dawn breaks over Maketu as hundreds pay their respects to Anzac soldiers this morning. Photo/Stuart Whitaker

A crowd of about 300 people also gathered at the war memorial "rock" on the shoreline in Maketu.

The dawn service in Maketu begun after a march to the shoreline led by Western Bay of Plenty mayor Garry Webber.

Crowds of people pay their respects to Anzac soldiers at a dawn service in Maketu. Photo/Stuart Whitaker

At Waihi Beach, hundreds paid their respects.

RSA President Stu Brown introduced the speakers, including Reverend Florence Chambers who said a prayer.

Waihi Beach community board member and guest speaker Ruth Parsons read from her grandfather's diary, Daniel O'Donoghue, who fought on the Western Front.

"My first trip to the trenches is nearly over, a very lucky trip and also an eye-opener. Dead lay everywhere, buried, partially buried and others almost as they fell.

"Talk about heroes' graves, there is only one sort of men who is considered here, and that is the fit one, the rest are junk," Daniel wrote on January 1, 1918.

Katikati College student, Trinity Nikora said the last post in Maori after wreaths were laid by schools, the emergency services, representants of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council and members of the RSA.

Many stayed after the service for a breakfast at the RSA before the civil service at 9.30am.