Anzac Day: Concerns for centenary

A woman visits graves in Gallipoli, Turkey, where thousands of Australians and New Zealanders died in World War I. Photo / AP

Thousands gearing up to mark 100 years since Gallipoli campaign.

New Zealanders gathered in their thousands to celebrate Anzac Day at dawn services around the country on Friday, and now attention turns to preparations for next year's centenary of the World War I Gallipoli campaign.

It's estimated up to 40,000 people from both sides of the Tasman are interested in attending Anzac Day services at Gallipoli next year.

However, as the small site is surrounded by the sea and steep terrain, it can safely hold only about a quarter of that number.

The Australian, New Zealand and Turkish Governments have agreed to allow 10,500 people at the commemorations next year, with 2000 New Zealanders drawn by ballot. For the 9851 applicants in the Kiwi ballot, 950 double passes are available. A further 100 passes are allocated to youth representatives and children of Gallipoli veterans.

Veterans' Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse said he had begun considering the logistics of co-ordinating the commemorations next year after attending the dawn service at Anzac Cove.

"The formula is a good one and doesn't need to be changed. However, I was looking around and the crowd was a very young group with lots of people who have come from London for it. Next year there will be a number of older people. The tradition of camping out under the stars may be difficult for some."

Those who missed out in the ballot have other ways to experience the atmosphere of being at Anzac Cove next year. A Gallipoli Cruise will retrace the Anzacs' journey from Australia to Gallipoli, with stops in ports that were significant during World War I.

On-board historians will deliver lectures about the war throughout the journey. The cruise ship will anchor in Anzac Cove where the dawn service will be witnessed by guests on the deck.

For a centenary experience closer to home, a charitable organisation has established camps around Australia and New Zealand to replicate commemorations in Turkey.

Camp Gallipoli will have thousands of Australians and New Zealanders camping out under the stars then waking at dawn to mark the centenary. Films, interviews, and music will be on show at the camps, which have been organised to celebrate the Anzac spirit.

Events will he held in Auckland at the Ellerslie Showgrounds and in Christchurch at Riccarton Park. In Australia, camps will be set up in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

The National War Memorial Park in central Wellington will be the centrepiece for the Government's Anzac Day commemorations in 2015.

More than 2700 New Zealand troops died at Gallipoli.