What to Do on ANZAC Day in New Zealand
ANZAC Day in New Zealand
ANZAC Day on 25 April is one of New Zealand's most solemn and meaningful public holidays. It commemorates the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served at Gallipoli in 1915, and all New Zealanders who have served in wars and conflicts since.
In 2026, ANZAC Day falls on Saturday 25 April and is observed (Mondayised) on Monday 27 April, creating a three-day long weekend. Unlike most public holidays, ANZAC Day is a time for reflection rather than celebration — though it is also marked by community, food traditions, and a distinctive national solidarity.
Dawn Services
The centrepiece of ANZAC Day is the dawn service. Dawn services begin around 6am, reflecting the time of the original landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915. They are held at war memorials, cenotaphs, and RSA clubs throughout New Zealand and around the world.
The atmosphere at a dawn service is unlike anything else in New Zealand public life. Thousands of people gather in the dark, often in the cold of late autumn, to stand in silence, listen to The Last Post, and remember those who died in war.
If you've never been to a dawn service, ANZAC Day is worth planning around.
Major Dawn Services in New Zealand
| City | Location | Notable Feature | |---|---|---| | Wellington | National War Memorial, Pukeahu | National service with government representatives | | Auckland | Auckland War Memorial Museum | One of NZ's largest services | | Christchurch | Bridge of Remembrance, CBD | Central city location, accessible | | Dunedin | Cenotaph, Queens Garden | Historic setting | | Napier | Clive Square | Art deco surroundings | | Invercargill | Queens Park | Southland community spirit |
Smaller towns often hold the most intimate and moving services — if you're travelling, it's worth checking local RSA branches for services near you.
The ANZAC Day Order of Events
A typical ANZAC Day follows a consistent programme:
- Pre-dawn gathering (5:30–6:00am) — people gather at the memorial
- Dawn service (6:00am) — begins at first light with a welcome, karakia, and hymns
- The Last Post — played by a bugler or trumpeter
- Minute of silence — a profound two minutes of silence
- Reveille — signals the end of the formal silence
- Laying of wreaths — by officials, community groups, and families
- National anthem — sung in both English and te reo Māori
- Gunfire breakfast — a tradition at RSA clubs following the dawn service
What is a Gunfire Breakfast?
The gunfire breakfast is an ANZAC tradition dating back to World War I. Soldiers traditionally had rum mixed into their morning coffee before battle — the "gunfire" referred to the rum. Today, the RSA gunfire breakfast is a community meal of eggs, bacon, and sausages (with optional rum in the coffee, following the original tradition). It's a wonderful way to warm up after the dawn service and connect with the community.
The National War Memorial
The Pukeahu National War Memorial in Wellington is the most significant ANZAC Day site in New Zealand. The memorial includes:
- Carillon Tower — New Zealand's National Carillon, a 74-bell instrument
- Hall of Memories — contains the Books of Remembrance listing New Zealanders who died in war
- Eternal Flame — a flame burning continuously in memory of the fallen
- Memorial Park — surrounding parkland with sculptures and memorials to different conflicts
The National Ceremony held here on ANZAC Day is attended by the Governor-General, Prime Minister, and other dignitaries.
ANZAC Biscuits
ANZAC biscuits are arguably New Zealand's most famous biscuit — and they have a genuine connection to the holiday. The biscuits were made by wives and mothers during World War I to send to soldiers overseas. Their ingredients (rolled oats, golden syrup, coconut, flour, butter) were chosen because they didn't require eggs (scarce during the war) and kept well on long sea voyages.
The classic ANZAC biscuit recipe:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup desiccated coconut
- 1 cup sugar
- 125g butter
- 2 tablespoons golden syrup
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons boiling water
Bake at 160°C for 12–15 minutes until golden. They should be chewy in the centre, crisp at the edges.
Baking ANZAC biscuits on ANZAC Day has become a family tradition in many New Zealand households, particularly with children.
Trading Hours on ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day has special trading restrictions in New Zealand, similar to Good Friday:
- Before 1pm: Most shops must remain closed — this is legally required under the Shop Trading Hours Act
- After 1pm: Shops may open (subject to employment law — workers must receive public holiday pay)
- Always open: Petrol stations, dairies, pharmacies, hospitality venues, and tourism operators are generally exempt
Plan ahead: If you're visiting a town for ANZAC Day, assume most shops will be closed in the morning. Stock up on supplies the day before, and note that restaurants and cafés may also have limited hours.
What to Do on ANZAC Day
Morning (Before 1pm)
- Attend a dawn service — the most meaningful way to observe the day
- Visit a war museum or exhibition — the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Pukeahu National War Memorial, and Waiouru's National Army Museum all have ANZAC-related exhibitions
- Reflect with family — many families gather on ANZAC morning to share stories, look at old photographs, or watch television coverage of the Gallipoli services
Afternoon (After 1pm)
Once shops open, ANZAC Day afternoon becomes more relaxed:
- Two-up games — a traditional gambling game associated with ANZAC Day. Two-up was famously played by soldiers; on ANZAC Day, it's legally permitted in many clubs and venues
- Civic ceremonies and parades — afternoon marches through city centres
- Walk the hills — autumn is excellent for walks in Wellington, Christchurch, and elsewhere
- Visit the RSA — Returned Services Association clubs are the social hub of ANZAC Day celebrations
ANZAC Day Travel Guide
Wellington
Wellington's National War Memorial is the centrepiece of national ANZAC Day events. The city is compact and walkable — the memorial is in the CBD, the Te Papa museum is nearby, and the harbour foreshore makes for a beautiful morning walk after the service.
Auckland
Auckland War Memorial Museum sits atop a volcanic cone in the Domain, with sweeping views over the city. The dawn service here is one of New Zealand's largest. The museum has permanent military exhibitions and special ANZAC programmes.
Napier
Napier's art deco architecture and the beautiful Hawke's Bay landscape make it a memorable ANZAC Day destination. The service in Clive Square is surrounded by the city's distinctive 1930s buildings, rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake that killed 258 people — a different kind of remembrance in a city that knows loss.
Christchurch
The Bridge of Remembrance in the CBD is a WWI memorial and ANZAC Day focal point. Post-earthquake Christchurch has made remarkable strides in rebuilding, and the Avon River Promenade alongside the memorial is a beautiful setting.
Smaller Towns
For an intimate ANZAC experience, consider smaller communities. The RSA clubs in small towns often draw an entire community together for the dawn service. Feilding, Oamaru, Matamata, and dozens of other towns hold small but deeply moving services.
ANZAC Day at Gallipoli
While most New Zealanders observe ANZAC Day at home, some travel to Gallipoli in Turkey for the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove. This is a significant pilgrimage for many New Zealand and Australian families. The service is held on the Gallipoli Peninsula and is attended by thousands from both countries, along with the Turkish government.
If you plan to attend the Gallipoli dawn service, apply for a ballot through the New Zealand government — spaces are limited.
What is the ANZAC Day Public Holiday in 2026?
ANZAC Day is observed on Monday 27 April 2026 (Mondayised from Saturday 25 April). The statutory public holiday is 25 April — but because this falls on a Saturday, most workers get their public holiday entitlement on the Monday.
Employee entitlements:
- Workers who don't normally work on Mondays will receive a paid day off on a different day agreed with their employer
- Workers who work on Monday 27 April receive time and a half pay plus an alternative holiday
FAQ: ANZAC Day New Zealand
Q: What time do ANZAC Day dawn services start? A: Most dawn services start at 6:00am, though the exact time varies by location. Check with your local RSA or council website for specific times.
Q: Is ANZAC Day a public holiday in New Zealand? A: Yes. ANZAC Day is a national public holiday in New Zealand. In 2026 it falls on Saturday 25 April, observed on Monday 27 April.
Q: Are shops open on ANZAC Day? A: Most shops are legally required to close before 1pm on ANZAC Day. After 1pm, shops may open. Petrol stations, pharmacies, and hospitality venues are generally exempt from the morning closure.
Q: Can I still attend the ANZAC Day service if I'm not a veteran? A: Absolutely. Dawn services are open to everyone. Many people attend with family members who are veterans, or simply as members of the public who want to pay their respects. All are welcome.
Q: What does ANZAC stand for? A: ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The name originated with the combined forces that landed at Gallipoli, Turkey, on 25 April 1915. The word "ANZAC" is legally protected in New Zealand.
Q: Why do New Zealanders wear poppies on ANZAC Day? A: The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance after WWI, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields" (1915). Poppies grew on the battlefields of Belgium where many soldiers died. Today, wearing a poppy on ANZAC Day is a way to show respect for fallen service members.
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