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KEY POINTS:
War memorials remind us of the need to redouble efforts to work for peace and strengthen our democracy, Governor-General Anand Satyanand said today.
In the Hall of Memories at National War Memorial in Wellington, he spoke during the National Wreath-laying Ceremony and Commemorative Service for the 93rd anniversary of Anzac Day of the importance of freedom.
"The young men and women whose sacrifice we honour today died to preserve freedom of speech and the right to choose our representatives in free and fair elections," the Auckland-born judge from an Indo-Fijian background said.
This year's ceremony began with the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior by Commander Thierry Arnoult FN, the commander of a French frigate visiting New Zealand.
Robin Klitscher, National President of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association made special note that "we have with us today the French".
Fifty-eight wreaths were laid during the formal ceremony by diplomats, mayors, politicians, representatives of the military, veterans and others.
The Government was represented by cabinet minister Trevor Mallard and the National Party by leader John Key.
Prime Minister Helen Clark attended an Anzac Day ceremony in her Mt Albert electorate.
This year marks 90 years since the end of the World War I in November 1918.
Mr Satyanand said that for a country such as New Zealand, with little more than one million people at the time, "the loss of so many of our nation's youngest and finest on battlefields so far from home cast a long shadow".
"No suburb or district was left untouched by the tragic loss of life."
Unfortunately it was to be repeated in WWII and in a number of conflicts since.
"New Zealand and New Zealanders have continued to make a principled contribution to world affairs and have been prepared to back that resolve," he said.
It was noted during the service that 900 members of the New Zealand Defence Forces are serving in operational roles overseas.
After the sounding of the Last Post it fell to Mr Klitscher to say the ode: "Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."
Large crowds gather across New Zealand
As dawn broke, hundreds of Aucklanders placed their poppies below the Cenotaph in remembrance of those killed and buried overseas.
Thousands turned out for this morning's dawn service at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, 93 years after New Zealand and Australian soldiers set foot at what was later to become Anzac Cove.
Mayor John Banks read an address, telling the crowd that they were not here to glorify war but to remember those who had fought and died in the armed forces.
Mr Banks painted a vivid picture of what waited for the Anzacs at Gallipoli.
"The shells, the machine guns, the whistling of sniper fire, and the deafening noise echoed by the cliffs," Mr Banks said.
He also told the story of Eric Thomas Catchpole who served with the Auckland Mounted Rifles.
"A son writes to his mother: 'Thank you so much for the cards and good wishes. Tell the kiddies, I love them and tell them I got their cards.'"
It was the last letter that Trooper Catchpole would write to his mother before he and many of the Auckland Mounted Rifles died storming Chunuk Bair, on August 8, 1915.
Earlier, the veterans marched onto the parade ground to a sombre round of applause from the crowd before a prayer and hymns.
The occasional cough and a baby crying was all that could be heard through the minute's silence, which was followed by a flyover by an Air Force Orion.
Amongst the thousands was the Fontaine family. All four children - Nicolas, Sabrina, Angelika and Simon - wore replica medals of their great great uncle Joseph Beaumont who survived the Somme in World War One.
Asked what Anzac Day meant to her, Sabrina, 14, said: "It's about the remembrance of everyone who participated in the war and fought".
In Wellington, several thousand people turned out for the Dawn Service, the first of a number of events in the capital today.
There were no protesters at the service and the only hitch was a delay to a rifle volley.
Defence chief Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae read the address at the service outside Wellington's Cenotaph.
Many people gathered today were remembering family who had served in past wars and also those currently deployed overseas.
"Anzac Day is a time to think of families and consider the strain placed on the families of our service people," he said.
"Above all, though, we remember the men and women who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy our lives," he said.
Thousands turned out for the Dawn Service in Christchurch's Cathedral Square, where the weather was also fine.
An Iroquois helicopter from RNZAF Ohakea flew over Cathedral Square at the conclusion of the service.
Large crowds also turned out in smaller towns nationwide.
"The turnout was absolutely magic," Eric Beeby, president of Bulls Returned Services Association (RSA), said of the Dawn Service in his town.
Personnel who served in Middle East and Afghanistan joined the veterans at one of the biggest parades and services the town had ever seen, he said.
Schoolchildren watched on as wreaths were placed by elderly veterans and others.
The veterans adjourned to the RSA clubrooms for breakfast and some will attend events in towns in the district throughout the day.
"As time goes on the generations are getting more aware of Anzac Day and the RSA spirit. It is quite satisfying," Mr Beeby said.
- NZPA, with Edward Gay
