Gallipoli ballot

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Youth representatives and children of Gallipoli veterans will receive 100 special passes to Gallipoli Centenary celebrations next year.

Veterans' Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse announced the special passes, which were held back from the first round of ballots, today.

Thirty-five double passes will be allocated to children of Gallipoli veterans, with another 30 single passes going to youth representatives and their chaperones.

"The Gallipoli campaign was a defining moment in New Zealand's history and next year's centenary commemorations will be particularly poignant," Mr Woodhouse said.

"Gallipoli continues to hold an important place in our hearts and that was made abundantly clear by the immense interest in the ballot."

The special passes for the children of Gallipoli veterans will be allocated in the order they are currently placed on the Gallipoli ballot wait list.

Those successful will be advised by telephone and mail in early May.

The youth representatives will be selected in a yet to be finalised competitive process.

As with all other successful ballot applicants they will be required to make and fund their own travel arrangements to Gallipoli.

A total of 9851 applicants entered into the ballot, with 950 double passes available. Of those awarded in the first round, 26 per cent were won by direct descendants of those who fought at Gallipoli, 16 per cent by veterans, and 58 per cent by general public.