Anzac Day – Remembering New Zealand and Australian Soldiers

Anzac Day is a New Zealand holiday observed every year on 25 April. Anzac Day is a commemoration of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps’ (hence ANZAC) ill-fated Battle of Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. Anzac Day commemorations include parades and dawn services in which returned and service personnel gather at war memorials where they are joined by crowds of New Zealanders to sing the New Zealand National Anthem and hear speeches by distinguished community members.

Everyone knows that Easter is coming up this weekend, but amongst colourful Easter eggs and bunnies you’ll spot people wearing the distinctive red Flanders Poppy. This Easter Monday Kiwis won’t only be celebrating Easter. 25 April is also Anzac Day, a very important holiday in both New Zealand and Australia. On Anzac Day New Zealand and Australian soldiers who died for their country or returned from war are commemorated.

Anzac Day, which stands for ‘Australian and New Zealand Army Corps’, is the anniversary of the landing of our soldiers at Turkey’s Gallipoli Peninsula during World War I. The 1915 Battle of Gallipoli claimed the lives of 2,721 New Zealanders and 8,500 Australians. Anzac Day was first marked a year later with a memorial cross at the Wairarapa town of Tinui and it became a public holiday in 1921.

Today, 25 April is a day full of ritualistic ceremonies at New Zealand’s war memorials and at many places in the world where Kiwis gather to remember. The commemorations include parades by service men and women to local war memorials, dawn services (the initial landing at Gallipoli took place at dawn), prayers, hymns and a minute’s silence. You’ll see war veterans and medal-bearing ex-services personnel marching behind flags to New Zealand’s war memorials. Wreaths are laid by representatives of veterans’ organisations, civic authorities, nations, youth organisations and families. It’s a hugely moving ritual and, far from forgetting this dark chapter of New Zealand’s history, it seems that every year more and more people attend the events. If you’re visiting Auckland this weekend, join the dawn service at Auckland Museum for an unforgettable experience of solidarity and remembrance.

Another important part of remembering is wearing the Flanders Poppy on Poppy Day, which normally takes place on the Friday before Anzac Day. The red poppy has been a natural symbol of remembrance and resurrection since the Napoleonic wars. Back then, poppies were planted on soldiers’ graves in the Flanders region. Today, many New Zealanders will wear their Flanders Poppy for several days and place it on a local war memorial after a memorial service.

On Anzac Day shops and businesses are closed until 1pm, but they open in the afternoon and many New Zealand towns hold events ranging from military displays and sports fixtures to musical recitals and exhibitions. It’s a great day to head to the country’s museums such as the Auckland Museum and galleries to find out more about New Zealand history. Finally, Anzac Day is also a very nice excuse to bake (and munch!) Anzac Biscuits!

For more Kiwi recipes click here, and for a list of all 2011 New Zealand public holidays click here.

Read a blog about Anzac Day at Auckland's War Memorial Museum.