New Zealand / History

Anzac Day live updates: Remembering those who served

13:51 pm on 25 April 2022

Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro paid tribute to Robert Gillies, the last remaining member of the 28th Māori Battalion.

Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro paid tribute to the last remaining member of the 28th Māori Battalion at the 11am National Service in Wellington.

Robert Gillies, known as Bom, enlisted in 1943 at the age of 17 and served in Italy, will be knighted this year.

World War II and Defence Force aircraft have been flying over numerous towns and cities as part of Anzac commemorations.

Spitfire and Harvard aircraft, a P-3K2 Orion, NH90 helicopters and other aircraft took to the skies from 5am.

The 11am National Commemorative Service at Pukeahu had a crowd of about 2000 look on as a group of dignitaries laid wreaths at the tomb of the unknown warrior.

Dame Cindy spoke at both the Dawn Service and the National Commemorative Service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum hosted a slimmed down version of its Anzac Day commemorations this year.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was in attendance at the Dawn Service.

Returned and Services Associations national president BJ Clark said the public were welcome to come into their local RSA and be part of remembrance events, and to chat to veterans.

Anzac Day, which was first held in 1916, honours more than 250,000 New Zealanders who have served overseas either in military conflicts or other roles, such as peacekeeping missions, says the Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Pae Mahara manager Brodie Stubbs.

Look back at RNZ's live updates to how Anzac Day was marked around the country: