WWI life in the trenches filmed in central Auckland

Crowds watch a simulated World War I trench during filming on Lorne St in Auckland's CBD. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A central Auckland street came to a standstill today as a re-enactment of life in the trenches played out in an alleyway.

Actors played out one day in the life of young Kiwi men away at war in 1915 in an alley on Lorne St, near the intersection with Victoria St.

Passersby could watch as Sky and the History Channel filmed a television commercial live, while in breaks the actors performed a scene for the crowd.

Letters of servicemen from 1915 were read out over speakers while the scene in the trenches was under way.

Anzac soldiers actors in a simulated World War I trench, during filming on Lorne Street, Auckland CBD. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Kate Whittle of Sky's marketing department said large crowds had been forming throughout the day, with people stopping to watch what was going on.

"We had some people come by who had family members in the war and they were quite moved by it," she said.

The set and the actors were all in monochrome, to reflect an authentic video from the time, Ms Whittle said.

"It's important to remember 1915 and bring it into today."

Bypassers stop to watch a simulated World War I trench during filming on Lorne Street, Auckland CBD. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Creative director at DDB Chris Schofield said the re-enactment was about "respectful authenticity" and trying to be as accurate as they could be.

Tauranga woman Diana O'Brien, 74, watched the actors for about an hour while waiting in central Auckland.

Mrs O'Brien was walking past Lorne St when she saw cameras and was intrigued to see what was happening. She stayed to watch and said she enjoyed it very much.

"It was really well done and the actors were great," she said.

She said the set and acting seemed authentic.

Men dressed in the monochrome garb were handing out poppies by the set in exchange for donations to the RSA.