New Zealand Defence Force Ready For Anzac Day 2014

Friday 25 April marks the 99th anniversary of the ANZAC Cove landings in the First World War, and the New Zealand Defence Force will be present at over 270 commemorative events across New Zealand, and around the globe.

Highlights include:

The 41 strong New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) contingent at the Gallipoli Anzac Day Commemorative Services.

Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli peninsula will commence with a karanga at the 5:30am Dawn Service. The New Zealand Memorial Service at Chunuk Bair at 11.45 will again begin with a karanga before the NZDF catafalque party marches on.

Present at the ceremony will be the Governor-General LTGEN the Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Hon Michael Woodhouse. The service is expected to take approximately 45 minutes.

2. Wellington’s Civil Dawn Service at the Cenotaph will be attended by a platoon of NZDF soldiers wearing period 1914 uniforms to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the departure of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) Main Body.

The Platoon will be equipped with the Long Tom and Lee Enfield Rifles used by the NZEF in 1914 and will wear the uniform and insignia of each of the 16 Infantry Companies, and the 12 Mounted Rifles squadrons that sailed from New Zealand on 16 October 1914. The Maori Contingent, the NZ Signals Corps, NZ Engineering Corps and NZ Army Nursing Service will also be represented.

3. The National Service will be held at Parliament buildings this year and NZDF personnel will be present as part of the commemoration. A vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial will be maintained throughout the day

4. The NZDF is increasing its support for official and locally-run Anzac Day commemorations in France and Belgium this year with a 10 person contingent, including a Māori cultural element, from New Zealand as well as personnel based in Europe.
Anzac Day services will be held on 25 April in Zonnebeke, Mesen, Leper and Comines-Warneton in Belgium, and on 27 April in Le Quesnoy and Longueval in France. This will include the first New Zealand Dawn Service at Le Quesnoy.

5. Royal New Zealand Navy sailor David Lepou will be singing the National Anthem in front of 90,000 people at the annual Anzac Day AFL match at the hallowed Melbourne Cricket Ground. NZDF is also providing support for the AFL match at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

6. New Zealand Defence Force personnel will provide a special tribute at the V8 Supercar event in Pukekohe.

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