Clutha
Several hundred people attended the Anzac Day dawn service in Balclutha this morning, in mild, breezy conditions.
Balclutha Pipe Band led a parade from Te Pou Ō Mata-Au Clutha District War Memorial & Community Centre to the town's cenotaph, where retired Lt Col Kevin Baff led an hour-long service.
In an occasionally emotional speech, Lt Col Baff asked those gathered whether "anything had really changed" since the great wars of the last century, given an upsurge in serious conflict around the world in recent years.
[He said war had been described as "the crimes of rulers and the sufferings of the people", something that was evident in today's conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Clutha District Mayor Jock Martin said Anzacs had fought for values of courage, integrity and selflessness.
"This is a legacy that continues to inspire generations today. They are values that are woven into the fabric of our nation," he said.
Anzac commemorations in Clyde this morning. Photo: Carys Trotter
Clyde
Despite a freezing, fog-laden morning, a strong crowd gathered in Clyde to mark Anzac Day this morning, showing the community’s enduring respect for the fallen.
Clyde and Alexandra RSA vice president Gerry Sutherland told attendees, “Anzac Day is about all those who have served and continue to do so.”
The service included the Last Post, observed in a quiet moment of reflection, with the local police force also in attendance.
The turnout and atmosphere reflected a tight-knit community united in remembrance.
At Anzac commemorations in Queenstown this morning were (from left), Gunner Christopher Hall of the NZ Army, RAAF Wing Commander David Riddel, Simon Hayes, Mayor John Glover and RSA President Phil Wilson. Photo: Supplied
Queenstown
In Queenstown, well over a thousand people - including a large contingent of Australians - braced the early morning chill, and a stiff breeze, to attend this year's dawn service, held by the Memorial Gates at Marine Parade.
Organised by the Queenstown Returned and Services' Association, speakers at this year's event included Queenstown Lakes Mayor John Glover, and Wakatipu High School student Eva Tilsley, one of the winners of the high school's recent Anzac Day speech competition.
Dawn service convenor Simon Hayes said following the service, about 300 people marched from the Memorial Gates to the Queenstown Memorial Centre for another short service and laying of the wreaths, after which a "breakfast buffet" began, which was still in full swing.
The Arrowtown RSA's service begins at 10am today, beginning with a march from the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall to the Soldiers Hill cenotaph.
Wing commander Carolyn Pezaro and Squadron leader Daniel Pezaro at the Wanaka ANZAC service this morning. PHOTO: EVIE SINCLAIR
Wānaka
Hundreds of Wānaka residents of all ages gathered at the lakefront this morning to attend the Anzac service.
Wing commander Carolyn Pezaro of Wellington said this year was her first time attending a service in Wānaka.
"Anzac services are deeply important to who we are as a country as we get further and further away from World War 1 and World War 2.
MetService recorded a 3 ° C temperature high at 7am for both Wānaka and Lake Hāwea.
The Lake Hāwea Anzac service also had a large attendance number.
The North Otago Highland Pipe Band lead the annual Anzac Day parade down Thames St in Oamaru. Photo: Nic Duff
Oamaru
The Waitaki District marked Anzac Day with nearly 20 services from Palmerston up to Omarama.
A good size crowd turned out for the dawn service in Oamaru where the 100th anniversary of the war memorial on Thames St was celebrated.
Later in the morning, hundreds lined the main street to watch the annual parade before the main service was held in the Garden of Memories.
A plaque commemorating Wing Commander James Fraser Barron was unveiled at the service in Maheno as well.
Crowds at the newly restored War Memorial Gardens in Cromwell. Photo: Carys Trotter
Cromwell
Cromwell marked Anzac Day with a huge community turnout at the new War Memorial Gardens, hosting its first civic service in the restored space.
Prayers, wreaths and poppy laying, speeches, performances from the Fine Thyme Belles choir, and the New Zealand and Australian national anthems formed part of the service, with the Last Post played under clear, sunny skies.
Cromwell RSA president Denis Ryan said, “The cost of war is not measured in numbers but in names.”
The ceremony centred on the restored cenotaph, highlighting the significance of the new memorial centre as a place of remembrance.
The Dawn Service in Gore this morning. Photo: Gemma Sinclair
Gore
The community congregated for the nine Anzac Day services in the Gore district today.
Schools and organisations laid wreaths at war memorials and the Hokonui celtic pipe band accompanied some events.
The dawn parade in the centre of Gore, which kicked off at 6.30am, saw the cenotaph brimming with people of all ages.
Speeches, morning teas and RSA visits around the community followed services.
Wakatipu High School student Brian Yang plays The Last Post at the Arrowtown Anzac Day service, held at the Soldiers Hill cenotaph, this morning. Photo: Tracey Roxburgh
Arrowtown
A huge crowd turned out to Arrowtown's Anzac Day service this morning, conducted at the Soldiers Hill cenotaph.
Arrowtown Returned and Services' Association president Rosemary Chalmers estimated at least 3000 people congregated around the cenotaph, and on the reserve below the hill, to pay their respects.
She told the crowd seeing the community gathered was a "powerful reminder that the spirit of Anzac is not just remembered here, it is lived here".
Reflecting on that spirit, of "courage, mateship and endurance", Mrs Chalmers said it was not confined to the past.
"Right now, around the world, there are conflicts that remind us that peace is never something we should take for granted.
"There are still men and women serving, showing courage, relying on their mates, and enduring challenges most of us will never fully understand.
"And here in our own community we are incredibly proud of our young people who have chosen that same path of service.
"The Anzac spirit lives on through you - the quiet decisions to step forward and serve something greater than yourself, to carry courage, mateship and endurance into a modern world that still needs them, perhaps more now than ever."
