Hundreds of people gathered in light rain at Waitangi at dawn today for the service at the carved meeting house on the Treaty grounds.
Prime Minister John Key said a prayer and gave thanks that New Zealand was a blessed and prosperous country. He those gathered to remember people serving New Zealanders.
"We take this moment to thank all those other New Zealanders that support the rest of us," he said.
"In particular I think of our police and our firefighters but also, of course, our military men and women, many of whom are serving overseas still today in dangerous and difficult locations."
Later in the morning, 14 waka were to be launched from Te Tii beach, followed by a karakia and haka.
For full coverage of the day visit www.radionz.co.nz/news.