ANZAC DAY 2017

It is now over a century since the ANZAC troops arrived at Gallipoli on the morning of 25 April 1915. Though times move on, we will never forget the campaign that took the lives of nearly 2,800 brave New Zealanders who had travelled far from home to serve their country. – The Rt Hon Bill English

On Tuesday 25 April we will all join as a nation to pay our respects to those first

arrivals and to all New Zealanders who served at Gallipoli.

This year marks a number of First World War centenaries: the Battle of Messines, the war in Sinai/Palestine, and New Zealand’s darkest day, the Battle of Passchendaele. It also marks the 75th anniversary of the Second Battle of El Alamein.

It is also a time to acknowledge the men

and women of today’s New Zealand Defence Force who put themselves at risk in the world’s conflict zones, furthering this nation’s commitment to international peace, security and co-operation.

“We cannot give back lost lives, or wholeness of body or spirit. But we can ensure their service is never forgotten. This is, and will always be, their day.”