ANZAC Day

ANZAC day is observed on April 25th to commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars." The Day was originally to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. This year marks the 100th anniversary of that first conflict. A service was held at dawn and went throughout the day at the Pukeahu National Memorial Park here in Wellington.

The New Zealand Chamber Choir sings throughout the service

The National War Memorial

New Zealand's PM John Key talks about the Gallipoli campaign:
"The communities they came from had counted the cost in the lengthy casualty lists that appeared in their newspapers. The sacrifice seemed to have been in vain, for the under-resourced a poorly- conducted campaign did not have any significant influence on the outcome of the war."

The newly finished Australian memorial at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.

The columns are surrounded by gum trees which will grow to about 10 meters high. This memorial is a counterpart to the New Zealand Memorial on the Anzac Parade in Canberra. 

Laying of the wreaths

"After Gallipoli , New Zealand had greater confidence in its distinct identity, and a greater pride in the international contribution it could make. The mutual respect earned during fighting formed the basis of the close ties with Australia that continue today."