PM: Anzac travel to Turkey will continue

CHRISTCHURCH: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the tradition of New Zealanders going to Gallipoli for Anzac commemorations will continue, despite recent comments by Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan.

She also said his comments would not affect the longterm TurkeyNew Zealand relationship.

Speaking in Christchurch yesterday, Ms Ardern said New Zealanders had gone to Gallipoli in Turkey for decades and Kiwis wanted to continue to do so.

This followed Mr Erdogan issuing a message in a speech, apparently aimed at New Zealanders and Westerners: ‘‘Your grandparents came, some of them returned in coffins.

‘‘If you come as well like your grandfathers, be sure that you will be gone like your grandfathers.’’

Ms Ardern said Foreign Minister Winston Peters would deal with the issue, and Mr Erdogan’s comments, face to face when he arrived in Turkey.

This follows Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison issuing a strong rebuke to the Turkish President.

He was reportedly considering expelling Turkey’s ambassador after Mr Erdogan’s ‘‘highly offensive and highly reckless’’ comments.

He said Australian security agencies were now reviewing whether it was safe for Australians to travel to Gallipoli for Anzac Day services.