21 April 2006

New Zealand Defence Force On Anzac Day

As always on ANZAC Day, the New Zealand Defence Force will be involved in a wide variety of activities throughout the country. New Zealand Defence Force personnel will be spread from Northland to Invercargill providing support to commemorative events to mark one of New Zealand's most significant days. This year, the Year of the Veteran, is the 91st anniversary of ANZAC Day.

In Wellington, Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson, Chief of Defence Force, will attend a Dawn Service held at the Cenotaph at 5.45am, along with Wellington based Defence personnel. Major General Jerry Mateparae, Chief of Army and Chief of Defence Force Designate, will attend morning ANZAC Day events in Porirua.

New Zealand Defence Force personnel will provide a dawn to dusk vigil ceremony over the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at the National War Memorial in Wellington from 6am to 6pm. Senior Defence Force staff will attend a National Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the National War Memorial at 11am.

A Beating Retreat ceremony will be performed by the Army's 7th Wellington and Hawkes Bay Battalion Band in Wellington's Civic Square at 4pm. Members of the public are invited to attend.

Over 450 New Zealand Defence Force personnel will be serving overseas in 14 countries this ANZAC Day.

ENDS

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