Gallipoli anniversary ballot to open this month

The number of New Zealand and Australian attendees at 2015's Gallipoli commemorations has been capped by the Turkish government. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A ballot for places at the centenary Anzac dawn service at Gallipoli will open later this month.

The Turkish government has limited to 10,500 the number of Australians and New Zealanders who can attend the 2015 event.

The ballot process was due to open today but has been delayed following a review by Australia's new Veterans Affairs Minister, Michael Ronaldson. It will now open on November 15 and close at midnight on January 31, 2014.

Of the 2000 places allocated for New Zealanders:

* 200 will be available for direct descendants of Gallipoli veterans (Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren etc. But not nieces/nephews or great-nieces/nephews etc.)

* 200 will be available for veterans (Individuals who served overseas and hold the New Zealand War Service Medal 1939-45 or the New Zealand Operational Service Medal. Their service must have been as a member of the New Zealand Armed Forces).

* 1500 will be available for all New Zealanders.

* 100 will be reserved for allocation by the Government to special groups such as youth, children of Gallipoli veterans, and others where it is not appropriate to ballot.

New Zealanders who are both direct descendants of Gallipoli veterans and veterans themselves are eligible to enter the ballot in both categories.

Descendants and veterans who are unsuccessful in securing places via those categories will also automatically be entered into the general ballot.

The breakdown of the Australian ballot means that, after allocation of places to widows and children of Gallipoli veterans and VIPs, there will be 6000 public places available as 3000 double passes.

Ballot applicants must be Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents aged 18 on April 25, 2015.

Successful applicants will be granted a double pass and can choose anyone to accompany them to Gallipoli.

They will have to pay all their own travel and accommodation costs.

Those who miss out on a place at the dawn service will be able to attend later services at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair.

Further information on the ballot can be found by clicking on the links below:

The New Zealand ballot

The Australian ballot

- AAP, nzherald.co.nz