15 Apr 2024

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A dawn service in Cathedral Square offers a chance for residents to remember New Zealand’s fallen soldiers on Anzac Day.

Several of thousands are expected to gather next to the Citizens’ War Memorial to commemorate Australia and New Zealand’s 1915 Gallipoli campaign.

At 6.15am on Thursday 25 April, veterans will meet at the Worcester bridge before parading with the New Zealand Army Band to the traditional service, which starts at 6.30am.

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger will join representatives of New Zealand’s armed forces to lay wreaths during the service, then the commemoration will end with a playing of The Last Post, a minute’s silence and the New Zealand national anthem. 

“Anzac Day is such an important chance for us to come together, honour our fallen soldiers and remind us of their service to our community,” says Mayor Mauger.

“This year is especially meaningful since it also marks 100 years of the Halswell Memorial which was erected in March 1924 to remember the fallen of the Halswell District, and 100 years since the Bridge of Remembrance was inaugurated on Armistice Day 1924.”

Later, at 10am on Thursday, the Transitional Cathedral in Latimer Square will hold the traditional citizens’ service which has been held for over 100 years.

An Anzac dawn service will take place in Cathedral Square

Road closures will be in place for Oxford Terrace and the entrance to Cathedral Square off Colombo Street from 4am.

Anzac Day services will also be held around Christchurch and Banks Peninsula:  

  • Heathcote: War Memorial (Martindale-Bridal Path-Flavell) - 6.15am   
  • Harewood: Harewood War Memorial, Harewood Primary School, 721 Harewood Road - 7.00am
  • Cashmere: 19th Battalion and Armoured Regiment Memorial Victoria Park - 8.00am
  • Halswell: War Memorial/Domain - 9.00am 
  • Little River: Community Centre – 9.30am 
  • New Brighton: Cenotaph, Marine Parade – 9.30am
  • Papanui: Papanui RSA Parking Area – 9.30am 
  • Citizens’ Service: Transitional Cathedral, Latimer Square - 10.00 am  
  • Lyttelton: War Memorial, Albion Square – 10.00am 
  • Diamond Harbour: War Memorial Hall - 10.30am
  • Sumner: RSA Memorial Gates – 11.00am 
  • Templeton: Templeton RSA, Banks St – 11.00am 
  • Akaroa: War Memorial - 11.30am 

For those unable to make it in person, the dawn service will be live streamed here. For more information visit ccc.govt.nz/dawnservice.