KEY POINTS:
Every Anzac Day Nikora Hetet, 63, places a picture of the uncle he was named after on the Auckland War Museum's Cenotaph.
Surrounded by red poppies the photocopied postcard shows Nikora Bell, in uniform for the 28 Battalion in 1943. To the side a message home.
"To my dear sister, greetings from Egypt. This is to say a greeting right hearty, from me and here's to our next merry meeting, whenever it be."
The day after it was posted his uncle died, Mr Hetet said.
Pictures of his father and another uncle were also put up. It's a simple token, he said.
"I'm doing it for them, to honour them. Our generation is starting to drop off; hopefully the younger ones will carry on, do this when I'm gone."
Mr Hetet was one of up to 20,000 who stood or sat solemnly during the country's largest dawn service as soldiers across the military branches from last century's conflicts marched on to the Court of Honour to stand either side of the Cenotaph.
Wreaths were laid by Auckland mayor John Banks and Governor-General Anand Satyanand. Parents stood with arms around children while The Last Post echoed out over the Auckland Domain and red light heralded day break.
A young couple draped themselves in the New Zealand flag as an Orion flew over head just before the 400 veterans marched off - they were told to watch their step, in a nod to age from the marshall leading them.
Family supporting family was also a feature of the service. Manu Toko, with two sisters and a nephew, stood with his father Frank, 68, who served in 161 Battalion during the Vietnam War.
The crowd were told that this year recognised those who fought in that conflict. It was the first service in three years that Frank, who was wheelchair-bound because of a stroke, had been able to attend.
Mr Toko said Anzac Day was always hard for his dad. "It's quite emotional for him, when he was asked how he felt before he just broke down."
For the Maguire family it was a day of special and emotional significance.
Two years ago, Sidney John Maguire, 62, a veteran of the Malayan and Borneo campaigns, collapsed and died as he stood to attention in front of the Cenotaph in the Auckland Domain, moments before the Dawn Service began.
For his wife and family Anzac Day holds even greater significance.
As she stood on the spot where her husband dropped dead from a heart attack, Mei Maguire, 65, said the emotion of the day she lost her husband would always be with her.
She said Anzac Day was a very proud and highly emotional day for her and the memory of her husband.
"I feel he went out with honour and what a way to go with all his comrades." Hirini and Wiki Maguire said their father would have been happy to die with his mates at the dawn service.
"It brings back sadness and memories. We have a tribute day, all day. We have a tribute to Dad and do things he would have done," Hirini said. After the service the smell of rum and coffee lingered at the breakfast for returned soldiers.
It bought back great memories for one 94-year-old Royal New Zealand Air Force veteran, who didn't want to be named.
He and his mates used to get together every Anzac day before the service at someone's house.
"We used to consume copious amounts of whiskey, rum and coffee. And the stories would come out."
Straightening up for the parade was never a problem, he laughed.
"All that [marching] practice, paid off."
