Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks at this morning's Auckland dawn service. Photo / Dean Purcell
Thousands of New Zealanders have turned out nationwide for Anzac Day dawn services, with the weight of the Christchurch mosque attacks hanging heavily over the commemorations.
There was a noticeably heavier police presence at the services.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told the crowd at the Auckland War Memorial Museum that Kiwis needed to recommit to the principles of freedom, democracy and peace that the country had fought for.
She said the sacrifice of past wars reminded us of "our shared humanity - something we have been reminded of again in the wake of the 15th of March."
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, is expected to attend the civic service at Auckland's war museum in the Domain at 11am before travelling to Christchurch to meet survivors of the mosque terror attacks.
The sacrifices and valour of our servicemen and women are being honoured at events around the country. New Zealanders take time to honour those who have served our country, at home and offshore, through dawn parades, civic services and the laying of wreaths at memorials.
Assemble at 5.30am at the Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph, Domain Dr, in Parnell. Service starts at 6am in front of the museum.
Civic Service:
Assemble at 10.30am in the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Service starts at 11am in front of the museum.
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, is expected to attend the 11am service before travelling to Christchurch to meet survivors of the mosque terror attacks.
Road closures and restrictions: 12am-4pm tomorrow on Cenotaph Rd, Football Rd, Lovers Lane, Maunsell Rd Extension, Museum Circuit, The Crescent, Titoki St, Wintergarden Rd.
Parking: Free parking available on the Auckland Domain sports fields (in the event of bad weather, parking on the sports fields will not be permitted.)
Secure Parking will offer parking at The Old Brewery, on the corner of Suiter St and Khyber Pass Rd, for a gold coin donation, with proceeds to the RSA. Attendants are on site to collect donations; use of the pay machines is not required.
Public transport: Extra train and bus services are operating for getting to the Dawn Service. Go to at.govt.nz for more information.
Additional information: Only small handbags will be permitted into the service. Essential larger items, such as nappies or baby food, must be brought in a clear zip-lock bag. If attending services later in the day, bringing water, a hat and sunscreen is recommended.
Wellington National Services
Pukeahu Dawn Service:
Assemble in Tasman St for the parade. The service starts at 6am at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.
Road closures and parking restrictions: Tasman St, Tory St, Rugby St, Haining St, Martin Square, south side, until 2pm. Lambton Quay northbound, between Bowen St and Bunny St from 5am to 12pm.
Auckland can expect a bit of morning cloud then a fine day. Southwesterlies. A high of 21C and a low of 14C. Wellington is in for a cloudy day with morning drizzle possible. A high of 18C and a low of 13C.
What is open?
Anzac Day is a public holiday and most shops will be closed until 1pm. Exceptions include dairies, petrol stations, some bars, cafes and restaurants and pharmacies.
What is lit up?
The Harbour Bridge has a commemorative light show on today and tomorrow between 6pm and midnight. Go to vector.co.nz/lights to listen to the accompanying audio track. The Auckland War Memorial Museum will also be lit up today and tomorrow.
11am at Cenotaph, Waikumete Cemetery. Road closures will be in place around Waikumete Cemetery. Temporary bylaw in place. No dogs allowed (except service dogs) at Waikumete Cemetery from 5am-1pm on Anzac Day.
10.40am at 1 Chapel St. Service persons assemble at the Russell RSA, 1 Chapel St, where they will be joined by the contingent from Paihia before marching to the Russell Village Green, next to the Cenotaph, for the civic service at 11am
Parade from Kawhia Town Hall to War Memorial at 1pm, short service. Community singalong at Kawhia Sports Club. Bring a plate. There will be two services on Sunday, April 28.
Ex-Service personnel parade from outside RSA Clubrooms 5.45am. Service to follow at Sunken Cross War Memorial Park, Mutu St, 6am.
Te Awamutu Civic Commemoration Service
Returned, service and members of uniformed groups parade from outside RSA Clubrooms at 10.30am. Service to follow at War Memorial, Anzac Green, 11am.
Thames RSA Dawn Parade and Service:
Assemble at 5.45am at Thames RSA/Workingmens Club, 407 Cochrane St, marching to Thames War Memorial Civic Centre at 200 Mary St for the service starting at 6am
Assemble at the corner of Cordyline Crescent and Ake Ake Ave at 10.30am to march off at 10.40am for an 11am service at Matarangi Volunteer Rural Fire Force Station, near Matarangi Shopping Centre
Pāuanui Dawn Service:
6am at Pāuanui Surf Lifesaving Club, Pāuanui Boulevard, (Pāuanui Sports and Recreation Club if wet)
Assemble at 10.45am at Pāpāmoa Memorial Stella Place carpark next to Pāpāmoa Pony Club for service at 11am. If the weather turns out to be wet, gather at Mt Maunganui RSA (544 Maunganui Rd)
Pyes Pa Cemetery Remembrance Service:
12pm at 403 Pyes Pa Rd
Rotorua Dawn Service
5:45am–10:30am at Southern Trust Sportsdrome, Queens Drive, Government Gardens, Rotorua
Assemble at 5.15am, Karamu Rd, outside iSite Russell St, to march to Cenotaph for 5.30am service. If wet, service will be at Clubs Hastings. All ex-service personnel are invited to the service at the Hawke's Bay Hospital Soldiers Memorial at 10am
Havelock North Parade:
Assemble at 9am, with wreath bearers at Cenotaph
Kohupātiki Marae Service in memory of 28th Māori Battalion:
Assemble at 11am at southern end of carpark, Kohupātiki Marae, Farndon Rd, Clive, for 12 noon service
Assemble at 9.40am for march from Memorial Gate to Tokomaru School. Service at 10am at Tokomaru RSA and Country Club, corner of Matipo St and Tawa St
Waitarere Beach Civic Service:
8.15-10.15am, Waitarere Beach Domain
Whanganui RSA Dawn Service:
Service at 5.30am at the Whanganui War Memorial Centre. Also, Maxwell Service at 9.30am, Brunswick Service at 10am, Turakina Service at 10am and 28th Māori Battalion Service at 11am at Whanganui War Memorial Centre
6.30am at 58 Ross St. Dawn Parade with NZDF Personnel at Fountaine Square
TARANAKI
Eltham RSA Civic Service:
9am, at the Memorial Gates entrance to Eltham Primary School, followed by a remembrance ceremony at the Soldiers' Cemetery in the Eltham Cemetery, Anderson Rd
Assemble at 6am at the Opunake Town Hall for a 6.15am service at the Cenotaph. 8am public services at the Services Cemetery. 11am service at Te Kiri Cenotaph. 5.30pm service at Pihama Cenotaph
South Taranaki RSA Dawn and Civic Service:
Assemble outside the South RSA under the Arch for a 6.30am service at 130 Princes St, Hawera
Stratford Dawn Service:
6am at the Cross of Sacrifice outside the War Memorial Centre, Miranda St
Assemble at 2 Fenton St at 10.15am for parade to War Memorial Centre for 11am civic service. The wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the Cross of Sacrifice afterwards
Waitara RSA Dawn Service:
Assemble at the RSA at 5.40am, 16 Queen St
Waitara RSA Civic Service:
Assemble at 9.40am to march to Knox Church for civic service. 10.45am march to Cenotaph for wreath-laying
8am at the Bowling Club, 25 Vogel St Naenae. Public service at 11.15am at the Returned Services section of Taita Lawn Cemetery with poppy laying on plaque sites.
Titahi Bay RSA Dawn Parade:
Assemble outside Titahi Bay Surf Club for 6am service at Bay Drive
Titahi Bay RSA Citizens Parade:
Assemble at 10.15am, 74 Main Rd and march to Whitehouse Rd Cenotaph for 10.30am service
6.15: Dawn Parade and ANZAC Service – Cranmer Square This event is organised by the Canterbury Branch of the Malayan Veterans Association in conjunction with the Christchurch Branch of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association (RSA) and Christchurch City Council.
*Please avoid bringing a bag if possible to reduce delays getting into the event area.
10am: Citizens' Service – Transitional Cathedral, Latimer Square Organised by Christchurch City Council in conjunction with Christchurch Cathedral and the RSA. It will be attended by representatives of the Defence Force, Consular Corps and various Christchurch youth groups.
Approaches to Cranmer Square will be closed from 4.30am. You can find detailed information about road closures on the NZTA website.
7am: War Memorial, Dee Street. Ex-service personnel to parade on Victoria Avenue at 6.50am. Invercargill Working Men's Club will be live streaming Dawn service in the clubrooms (open at 6:45am for those who wish to sit and view).