Katikati marks Anzac in style

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UPDATED 2PM: Katikati has experienced its biggest known dawn parade with an estimated 2200 turning out for the occasion followed by a well-attended civic service.

The civic service followed a march from Uretara Domain to Katikati War Memorial Hall by Returned Servicemen, RSA representatives and Armed Forces personnel along with many service and community groups plus people riding horses - recognising the high number of the animals which also perished in WWI.

Katikati residents turn out for both the Anzac Day dawn service and civic service. Photos: Merle Foster

Army tanks cruised Main St following the march.

Katikati RSA president Peter Mackay confirmed the numbers counted at the dawn parade was estimated at 2200 - and attendees to the civic parade filled the war memorial hall, spilling out onto Memorial Square.

"I am just very humbled," says Peter, who says the number is way more than Katikati has ever seen before.

Also of note was the amount of wreaths laid following the civic service at 11am - crowded below the Roll of Honour, showing more tributes offered than any other Anzac Day in Katikati.

"When I hear that towns and cities got 10,000 along and we got 2200 we'll stand tall with everyone - I'm very, very proud but humbled as well."

After the civic service, Peter says everyone who took part in Katikati's commemorations have found it a very special day. "That's about all I can say."

EARLIER: Katikati residents turned out en mass this morning to the town's dawn parade to remember the Anzac soldiers of World War I who touched the shores of Gallipoli 100 years ago today.

Fine weather saw young and old huddle from Katikati's Memorial Square in front of war memorial hall right across State Highway 2 (Main St) back to library building on other side of road to mark the occasion. The state highway was closed during this time.

First, the town's Roll of Honour was blessed by Reverend Brendan Gibbs before Katikati RSA president Peter Mackay led the service, with Bay of Plenty Pipes and Drums playing a special lament before the New Zealand flag was lowered to half-mast.

Sonia Bullot then played 'The Last Post' on the bugle.

A SunLive reporter at the service says more than 2000 people were in attendance, describing it as the community's 'biggest ever” dawn service.

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