The rumble of traffic was noticeably absent from Katikati's main street this morning as hundreds gathered at dawn to mark Anzac Day 2017.

A temporary road closure diverted vehicles from the centre of town creating a somber silence, fitting for the service conducted in the square outside the Katikati War Memorial Hall.

The weather was still and mild with a sickle moon and the last of the stars fading as the dawn sky lightened.

Katikati RSA president Fred Craig invited returned and current service men and women to assemble before the flag and they stood to attention as pipers played the Piper's Lament. The New Zealand flag was lowered and raised while Dennis Wilks sounded the Last Post on his bugle.

A Katikati RSA representative lays a wreath.

Katikati College head boy and head girl Fergus Chinnery and Gemma Thorp lay a wreath.

Katikati Primary School student at this morning's wreath laying ceremony.

Wreaths were laid by the Katikati RSA, Katikati College and Katikati Primary School in an alcove beneath the honours board bearing the names of Katikati servicemen who died in both world wars. More wreaths will be laid during the second service later this morning.

Katikati College head boy and head girl Fergus Chinnery and Gemma Thorp addressed the crowd, Fergus wearing his great grandfather's medals from the Second World War. Together they read the Anzac poem 'In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae.

Rev Brendan Gibbs spoke of the troubled world we live in with wars, and threats of war, homelessness and natural disasters. He read Psalm 46 and encouraged those gathered at the service to take comfort in its words 'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”.

Returned and current service men and women assembled in Katikati's Memorial Square this morning.

Rev Brendan Gibbs reads Psalm 46 during this morning's Anzac service in Katikati.

Dennis Wilk plays the bugle as the flag is lowered during this morning's Anzac service in Katikati.

Crowds disperse after this morning's this morning's Anzac service in Katikati.

The Katikati Honours Board – where more wreaths will be laid at the second serviced today.