Anzac Day

Anzac Day is observed in New Zealand each year on 25 April to commemorate the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landing at Gallipoli, Türkiye, in 1915 during the First World War. Although the campaign ended in military defeat and heavy casualties, the courage, endurance, and comradeship associated with the Anzacs became central to New Zealand’s emerging national identity. The day also honours all New Zealanders who have served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations, including members of the armed forces, merchant navy, and other military services.

The first Anzac commemorations were held in 1916, and the observance developed into one of New Zealand’s most important national days. Over time, its meaning broadened beyond Gallipoli to include remembrance of service and sacrifice across generations, while also acknowledging the experiences of Māori servicemen and women and the wider impact of war on families and communities. In 2026, Anzac Day falls on Saturday, 25 April. New Zealand’s Mondayisation rules mean that Monday, 27 April is the observed public holiday for many employment and holiday-entitlement purposes, but the principal commemorative ceremonies remain on 25 April.

Anzac Day traditionally begins with a dawn service, reflecting the time of the Gallipoli landing. Veterans, current service members, families, civic leaders, school groups, and members of the public gather at war memorials, cenotaphs, and military cemeteries throughout New Zealand. Ceremonies commonly include a military procession, an invocation or karakia, hymns, readings, the Anzac dedication, the Last Post, a minute’s silence, the reveille, and the laying of wreaths. The New Zealand and national flags are displayed, and rosemary or red poppies may be worn as symbols of remembrance. Later in the morning, formal civic services and parades are held, often organised with local councils and the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association (RSA).

Families may visit memorials or cemeteries, watch national services, and share stories about relatives who served. Anzac biscuits—oat-based biscuits traditionally associated with wartime care parcels—are especially common, although their modern recipes vary. Schools, museums, libraries, and community organisations host exhibitions, talks, and educational activities about military history and remembrance. Anzac Day is intended as a solemn occasion rather than a celebration, and the customary expression is “Lest we forget.” Many businesses and sporting fixtures observe restrictions or altered schedules on 25 April, while public commemorations continue to welcome people of all backgrounds.