Guns will be fired by the Royal New Zealand Artillery across the North Island to mark 300 years since the formation of Britain's Royal Artillery.

The Royal New Zealand Artillery will demonstrate their skills with a gun run in Palmerston North to mark the occasion on Gunners Day.

Guns will be fired to mark 300 years since the formations of Britian's Royal Artillery, known as Gunners Day.

On May 26 in 1716, King George I issued a royal warrant forming the first regular artillery force in Britain.

As a Commonwealth Artillery Regiment allied to the RA, New Zealand recognises the customs and traditions with this day.

At dawn on Thursday soldiers from the New Zealand Army's 16^th field regiment will fire three blank rounds around various locations within the North Island.

Each round will be fired from the 105mm L119 Light Gun and will mark 100 years of the formation of Britain's Royal Regiment of Artillery.

The first gun will be fired from the Soundshell in Napier, with rounds then fired at one minute intervals.

From Auckland's North Head Reserve in Devonport then to Hamilton, Waiouru, Linton, Levin and Wellington.

In the South Island, Dunedin will be part of the 300^th year celebrations too. A gun will be fired from former members of 31 (B) Battery from the waterfront.

From 12pm in the Square in Palmerston North, gunners from the 16^th Field Regiment will compete in a gun run. This involves two teams of seven competing in an obstacle course with 105mm Light Guns or Howitzers.

16^th Field Regiment Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ben Bagley says the Kiwi gunners were keen to show their support to their British counterparts for the 300^th anniversary.

'We're hoping everyone near the Square on the 26^th will come and see the gun run. It'll be quite a spectacle and a lot of fun,” says Ben.

Members of the public are invited to watch and will also be able to learn more about the Artillery's firepower from a display of vintage and current guns in the Square in Palmerston North, from 10am-1pm.