A New Zealand soldier's Gallipoli war medals have been stolen from a package sent to Dunedin from Australia.

Prime Minister John Key today said he won't be apologising for New Zealand's role in the invasion Gallipoli a century ago.

Jamie Simpson grew up with family stories of his great-grandfather - now he will follow in his footsteps for the centenary commemorations at Gallipoli this Anzac Day.

Rebecca Nelson was busking on a Devonport street when a man approached her with a curious proposition.

On April 25, New Zealanders around the world will commemorate the centenary of the Anzac landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

For most Kiwis, Gallipoli is synonymous with the deaths of thousands of our men at the hands of enemy forces. But Nejat Kavvas has a very different perspective.

On the centenary of the conflict, should NZ apologise for its part in an invasion that claimed 86,000 Ottoman Empire lives - almost twice the number of Allied soldiers killed?

For Rachael Alp the centenary is an opportunity to learn more about her great-grandfather, one of the first people to enlist for active service at the High Commission in London.

Nothing will stop 86-year-old Syd Hunter fulfilling his dream of visiting the peninsula where two of his uncles fought.

Kiwis attending the Gallipoli centenary should be prepared for a long and arduous day before the official commemorations kick off.

Syd Hunter almost lost two uncles at Gallipoli. The first was killed in action during the opening days of the campaign. The second was wounded and then thrown into the sea when the hospital ship he was on was torpedoed. He survived after spending seven hours in the water clinging to debris.

Turkey-born Nejat Kavvas has a different perspective on Gallipoli than most Kiwis. For him, the campaign was about his country defending itself from an attack by foreign invaders. The former Turkish Honorary Consul in Auckland has no ancestral connection to Gallipoli but was key to the forging of New Zealand’s now strong friendship with Turkey.

Anzac Day has always been a big deal in Rachael Alp’s family. Her great grandfather served at Gallipoli and she is extremely proud of his effort. Her trip to Turkey will be about learning more about her past so she can pass it on and keep it alive in future generations.

Descendants of British veterans who took part in the doomed World War I campaign at Gallipoli have been invited to join the Prince of Wales and his son Prince Harry at a centenary commemoration event in Turkey later this month.

Our countdown begins to the 100-year anniversary of the Anzac landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

The Herald is publishing a series of video diaries to mark the Gallipoli centenary. This week, we’re telling the stories of five New Zealand residents with strong ties.

Jamie Simpson will travel to Gallipoli with his brother Luke to retrace the steps of their great grandfather. The pair grew up with stories of their “pappy”, and want to get a feel of what life on the battlefield was like for their ancestor.

Lyn Griffiths' grandfather was enlisted for war by his father. He left his wife and two young children in Auckland to serve at Gallipoli. He never returned. The stretcher-bearer was fatally shot while trying to rescue or recover comrades.

80: Letters addressed to wives, mothers, fathers, sisters and relatives, they provided a censored glimpse of the conditions facing the troops.

A moving tribute to Kiwi soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War I has struck a chord with Hollywood heavyweight Sir Peter Jackson.

Museums are plotting an 11th-hour bid to keep a Kiwi war hero's precious medals in New Zealand.

Les Munro's World War II medals could prove a visual inspiration and reminder to all young New Zealanders of the stuff that real heroes are made of, writes Peter Bromhead.

Herb Christophers and wife Marguerite at Queens Wharf yesterday before they joined the liner Queen Elizabeth for its journey to Gallipoli.