Every year on April 25 there are opportunities across the country to honour men and women who have served in wars at Anzac Day ceremonies.

This year is particularly poignant as it has been 110 years since the Gallipoli landing and 80 years since the end of World War II, said Katikati RSA president Trevor Gilbert.

“Lest we forget,” Gilbert said. “It’s important to honour those who have served as there are many of us, not just the two world wars, there’s been many conflicts since the end of World War II.”

New Zealand has commemorated the Gallipoli landing ever since and Anzac Day has been a public holiday since 1921. Katikati has been holding Anzac services since World War I, Gilbert said.

Gilbert is a Vietnam veteran (1970-1971) of the New Zealand Army.

“You make friends for life with those who served. We’ve experienced some tough situations – you form a bond that is never broken.”

Anzac Day events

The parade will form at 5.45am behind Katikati War Memorial Hall and march at 5.55am, led by Katikati Band. There will be veterans, scouts and service men and women.

Anyone can join the parade if they’d like to, Gilbert says. He encourages the families of war veterans to wear their medals.

Colonel Selwyn Heaton RNZE will address the crowd, as will Katikati College’s head boy and girl.

The local RSA has made Katikati Bowling Club its new home since moving out of the Henry Rd building. Everyone is invited to a breakfast at the bowling club (for a small charge) after the ceremony.

2025 Anzac Day services

Katikati

5.45am: Anzac Day service assembly in Katikati Library carpark and march on foot to Katikati War Memorial Hall

6am: Attendees assemble at the square in front of the War Memorial Hall for the service

Waihī Beach / Waihī

6am: Dawn Parade and service at the Waihī Beach RSA

6.30am: Breakfast buffet at the Waihī RSA

8am: Wreath-laying service – Waihī Cemetery

9am: Waihi Heritage Vision and Tunnelling Company descendants – Tunnellers Memorial Reserve, Gilmour Lake, Waihī

10.45am: Waihī RSA march to Waihī Memorial Hall

11am: Memorial Service – Waihī Memorial Hall

Tuapiro

6am: Tuapiro Marae Dawn Service, 24 Hikurangi Rd, Katikati

Ōmokoroa

6am: Dawn Service and laying of wreaths – Remembrance Cairn, Gerald Crapp Historic Reserve, Ōmokoroa Point

Te Puke

9.50am: Civic Parade - march assembled opposite Te Puke War Memorial Hall and lead off

10am: Service starts at Te Puke War Memorial Hall (please be seated before the arrival of the parade)

11am: Wreath laying at Cenotaph

11.30am: March off - everyone is invited to attend the Citizens RSA Te Puke in Jellicoe St/Beatty Ave for light refreshments

Ōropi

10.30am: Anzac Day service at Ōropi Memorial Hall and Community Centre.

Maketū

5.30am: Muster at the Landing (shop)

6am: March to Remembrance Rock, following march fall in at the Remembrance Rock, Park Rd Reserve

Followed by breakfast at Whakaue Marae (gold coin koha please)

Waitangi, Te Puke

5am: Begin gathering and parking at Moko Marae

6am: Congregate in front of the war memorial gates at TKKM o Te Matai Kura, beginning service at 6am

Please bring photos of whānau who have served, to display. You are most welcome to share stories if you wish at the service

7am-7.30am: Head to Moko Marae for parakuihi

Tauranga

For Tauranga City service information, see the Tauranga City Council website

Source: https://www.westernbay.govt.nz