Today, Anzac Day is commemorated by New Zealanders across the country.

Members of the public were able to attend Dawn Services but there will be no parades due to the pandemic.

RSA Chairman BJ Clark told RNZ he hoped for a strong turnout at events across the country, but said it was more important that people mark the day in whatever way possible, even if it was in private.

This day marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915 during the First World War.

Anzac Day now honors New Zealanders who have served overseas in war or in other roles such as peacekeeping.

During the Gallipoli Campaign, waves of Allied forces launched an amphibious attack on the strategically important Turkish peninsula, which was key to controlling the Dardanelles Strait, the crucial route to the Black Sea and Russia.

The plan, which was backed by the then First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, was flawed and the troops faced a heroic defense from the Turks, withdrawing eight months later.

It is estimated that around 100,000 servicemen from both sides were killed in the Gallipoli campaign, including over 10,000 from Australia and New Zealand (2,779 from New Zealand).

A dawn service was held at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington, which Governor General Dame Cindy Karo attended. At 11 a.m., a national memorial service will be held at the park.

In Auckland, a dawn service was held at the War Memorial Museum attended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and National Party leader Christopher Luxon.

Thousands of people attended the dawn service at Mount Manuganui. People gathered at the Cenotaph just in front of Mount Drury at the water’s edge.

Families also attended the Dawn Service in Howick, Auckland this morning.