Thousands of people gathered in Gallipoli, Türkiye, to remember the ANZAC soldiers who fought and died in the Battle of Gallipoli over 100 years ago. This year’s Anzac Day service had the highest crowd numbers since the 2015 centenary.
The service started with the Dawn Service, where the sound of karanga and the didgeridoo echoed across the commemorative site. The service included hymns, prayers, and laying wreaths in remembrance.
New Zealand’s Minister of Defence, Andrew Little, delivered the commemorative address and expressed condolences and sympathy to the people of Tϋrkiye affected by the devastating earthquakes in February.
The service concluded with a rendition of the New Zealand, Australian, and Turkish national anthems and a haka performed by the NZDF.
After the Dawn Service, around 500 people attended the New Zealand service held at Chunuk Bair to honour one of the bloodiest battles of the Gallipoli campaign.
The service included speeches and performances by the NZDF band and Māori Cultural Group, while Australian and Turkish military personnel conducted ceremonial duties.
The commemoration is a reminder of the bravery and self-sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Gallipoli. Their stories are still alive in their families and communities, and we feel compelled to remember them in this place.
