The event was organised by the Quaker community and the University of Otago's National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, to allow Dunedin residents to grieve for all the people who had ever suffered from the effects of war and conflict.
It was also to honour those who had worked for peace and social justice, resisted war and violence, and committed to building a just and peaceful world.
Dunedin Quaker Maria Barsema said she had attended the service for many years, but believed this year's was particularly poignant because of the recent terrorist attacks in Christchurch and Sri Lanka.
The informal atmosphere of the gathering was highlighted by the Otepoti Peace Choir which sang Down by the Riverside and If I had a Hammer.
The ceremony finished with the tying of white ribbons around the peace pole.
