Students from France and New Zealand are already partnering to carry out projects of remembrance for the commemoration period 2014-2018. This inclusive community, aims to turn lessons from the past into learnings to shape the future. If you would like to be involved you can suggest a project, nominate a school, or contribute as a community member if you are not involved in formal education. Register to comment on the blogs or take part in the forums.
Make and play
The Naval Museum at Torpedo Bay hosts an interactive exhibition, Field of Poppies - visitors make a paper poppy and help the field grow during the day. Time your visit to bring the children to hear Anzac stories (yes, they deal with the themes of war and sacrifice). And leave your thoughts and memories in the remembrance book.
Naval Museum, Remembrance Room, Torpedo Bay, Devonport.
Anzac Day opening: 10am - 5pm. Story times 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm. Admission, activities free.
Art Appreciation
Estuary Arts Centre's Sticks Stones Broken Bones programme features original military artworks on loan from a private collection. As well as painting by Frank Rossiter Crozier, one of the few official war artists who served in Gallipoli, works will include a large wall installation of over 1000 ceramic poppies made by young people, parents and teachers, a printmaker's mapping of the war and Letters from the Front stitch project.
Until April 27 April, 9am-4pm, Estuary Arts Centre, 214b Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa. Ph (09) 426 5570.
Auckland War Memorial Museum
The Museum, opened in 1929, was built from subscriptions raised to commemorate that New Zealand sent more men to fight in World War I per head of population than any other nation. It is the city's place to honour and commemorate the fallen.
As well as the Anzac Day Services (Dawn Service 6am, Civic Service 11am, Court of Honour) there will be performances in the World War I Sanctuary of rousing wartime melodies by the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Trio (6.45am-7.20am and 8am-8.20am) and songs from Auckland Youth Choir (9am) and the Graduate Choir New Zealand (11.45am).
New Zealand's Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata will be presenting Duty and Adventure, a reflection on why he joined the New Zealand Defence Force and a look ahead to the centenary in August (7.30am, WWI Sanctuary).
During the day, the kids can make poppies at Weird and Wonderful (noon-4pm) while film buffs can join Gaylene Preston for a screening and talk about Illuminate 2014, the spirit of New Zealanders in 1914 at the beginning of World War I (Te Korowai Room, 12.30pm). Finalists in the First World War Centenary "Lest We Forget" poetry competition will be reading their poems (Hall of Memories, 1pm).
Take a 45-minute guided tour around the War Memorial galleries of World Wars I and II. (Meet at the Red Arrow, Armoury Information Centre. 7.15am, 8.30am, 9.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, and 3.30pm)
This year's Illuminate film screening on the Museum exterior is Gaylene Preston's Duty and Adventure, a curation of archival footage, including some newly discovered WWI footage, never seen before. For the first time, these compelling images will be brought to life with an especially commissioned soundtrack.
Auckland Museum, Northern Facade. Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 April, sunset until 10pm, Free.
Songs for remembrance
Auckland Choral's War and Peace concert opens with JS Bach's powerful and famous Toccata and Fugue and includes Haydn's Mass in Time of War, German composer Michael Renhart's Requiem, and Wilfred Owen's revered Anthem for Doomed Youth (set to music by David Hamilton).
Auckland Town Hall. Anzac Day, 5pm. Tickets from $10.
Engines running
The V8 Supercars' motors get started in Pukekohe this Anzac weekend. To acknowledge the motor city's connection, organisers have teamed with the local RSA to ensure crowds get to both events.
Some roads will be closed for services in Pukekohe War Memorial (Anzac Day dawn service, 5.40am, morning service 9.30am).
On Wednesday the local RSA hosts V8 Supercar Drivers in the Hot Seat, with Greg Murphy, as a charity fundraiser.
Wednesday, 23 April, 6pm. Pukekohe and Districts RSA. Tickets from ticketek.
Kids can meet V8 Supercars top drivers at the Pukekohe Pit Stop civic welcome (Thursday 24 April, 4pm-6pm. Pukekohe Town Square, King St.)
Travel on special event rail and the Northern Express bus service (included in the ITM 500 Auckland ticket) and join the fan trail route to the Pukekohe Park Raceway.
Special street entertainment on Saturday and Sunday, 8.30am-11am and 4pm-6pm.
