Anzac Day 2025: Commemorations, events in Wellington, Rotorua, and Tauranga

Anzac Day commemorations will take place across Wellington, Rotorua, and Tauranga on April 25, 2025, in remembrance of those who served their country and its armed forces. Wellington will host various services, including a dawn service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, while Rotorua will hold a dawn service at ?hinemutu and a civic memorial service at Sir Howard Morrison Centre. Tauranga will conduct ceremonies across the city, including a final dawn service at the Tauranga RSA's Cameron Rd site.

These events are held to honour the service and sacrifice of military personnel and ensure future generations understand their contributions.


Wellington City will commemorate Anzac Day with several events. The Citizens’ Wreath Laying Service will provide an opportunity for dignitaries, guests, and citizen groups to remember the ANZACs from World War I and pay respects to service personnel. The service will feature performances from a military and pipe band, along with the Aotearoa Academy Choir. The cenotaph monument will be open to the public after the ceremony.

A range of services will be held across Wellington, starting with a 6am Dawn Service on April 25 at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. Other services include the Anzac Day Whānau Day at 10am, the Anzac Day National Commemoration Service at 11am, a Wreath Laying Service at Atatürk Memorial in Tarakena Bay at 2.30pm, and The Last Post Ceremony at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park at 5pm.

The Wrights Hill Fortress will be open from 10am to 4pm, offering visitors a chance to explore the tunnels and gun emplacements. Admission is $20 for a family or $10 per adult and $5 per child, cash only.

Visitors can also take the World War Warriors walk at Karori Cemetery or the First World War Memorial Walk at Bolton Street Cemetery. At Te Papa, the "Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War" exhibition will be open, with free entry for New Zealanders and residents. On-street metered parking will be free around Wellington City on Anzac Day.

Rotorua will also hold Anzac commemorations, including a dawn service at ?hinemutu conducted by Te Arawa Māori Returned Services League. The Rotorua Dawn Service will commence with a gathering at 5.45am, followed by a parade march to Muruika Soldiers Cemetery at 5.50pm. The Dawn Service is expected to conclude at 6.30am.

The Anzac Civic Memorial Service will begin with a gathering at Te Arawa War Memorial at 8.50am. The Anzac Parade will leave Te Arawa War Memorial at 9am and arrive at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre at 9.25am, with the service commencing at 9.30am.

Commemoration organizers said that Reverend Tom Poata would be the officiating minister. Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell will introduce guest speakers Angela Swann-Cronin and youth speaker representatives Patience Lister and Harrison Roberts-Brake.

Laying of the wreaths will take place during the service, with music provided by pipers from the City of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band and the Rotorua Municipal Brass Band. A special performance by Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue will honor Sir Robert (Bom) Gillies. Road will be closed from 8.30am to 10am on Queens Drive and Arawa St.

Tauranga will commemorate Anzac Day with ceremonies across the city. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale will deliver the welcome at the Civic Memorial Service.

“On Anzac Day, communities around New Zealand come together to honour those who served, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and acknowledge the contributions of our returned and current service personnel,” Drysdale said. “I encourage everyone to attend a service and pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for our country.”

The Tauranga RSA will host its final dawn service at the Cameron Rd site. Navy veteran and Tauranga RSA president Morton Anderson emphasized the importance of these commemorations.

“It’s important to keep the memory alive, to pay respects to those who served and those who never made it home,” Anderson said. “These events are not just about remembering history, they’re about ensuring future generations understand the sacrifices made.”

Royal Navy World War II veteran John Clark will mark his 100th birthday on Anzac Day and plans to attend the Civic Service.

“Anzac Day is very poignant for John, as he reflects on the war and the terrible loss of life,” Clark’s family said. “He remembers some names of past friends on Anzac Day with great sadness.”