Crowds have braved chilly conditions to turn out for Anzac Day services in the South this morning.
Many centres woke to low single-digit temperatures, and there were reports of frosts in some places.
In Dunedin thousands of people rugged up to pay their respects at the cenotaph in Queens Gardens.
The Dunedin Anzac dawn service began at 6.30am.
About 2000 people crowded around the memorial to remember the fallen, as well as to the service men and women who have returned from various conflicts over the past century.
The guest speaker was Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Dines, RLC, of the British High Commission.
Kaikorai Valley College head students Amy Hitchcox and McKenzie Dinnissen, both 17, gave the reading.
Amy said before dawn on April 25, 1915, the first Anzac soldiers landed on the shores of Gallipoli.
‘‘Our very own Otago soldiers paid a heavy price . . . with 147 souls falling at the battle of Chunuk Bair, a significant proportion of the 693 Otago personnel who died in the war.’’
She said with New Zealand's armed forces deploying during World War 2, wars, conflicts and many peacekeeping operations that have followed, Anzac Day has become an occasion to honour all who have worn our country's uniform in service.
‘‘Today, we reflect on that service.’’
Queenstown
In Queenstown, the cool start did not stop a large crowd gathering for the dawn service at the Memorial Gates on the resort town’s waterfront.
The service was led by Queenstown RSA president Phil Wilson, who said it was ‘‘great to see the crowd grow bigger every year’’.
Queenstown Lakes district councillor Craig Ferguson said it was especially good to see many children at the service, thanking them for ‘‘getting out of bed and learning more about New Zealand’s history’’.
Others to speak were Wakatipu High School RSA speech competition winner Lachlan Kidd, MP Todd Stephenson, Australian High Commission representative Petty Officer Anthony Miller, and New Zealand Defence Force representative Brigadier Andrew Shaw.
Following the service, dignitaries led a parade to the Queenstown Memorial Centre.
Oamaru
In Oamaru, about 1000 people turned out for the Dawn Service at the cenotaph at 6.30am - on a very cold morning.
Waitaki Boys' High School head student Lachlan Wright gave a moving address, noting that Anzac Day is more than a date on the calendar but ''a sacred day'' to be bring forward the legacy of Anzac in ''everyday moments''.
''We honour not just the soldiers' sacrifice but their spirit''.
Balclutha
In Balclutha, hundreds were gathered around Clutha District War Memorial & Community Centre, Te Pou ō Mata-Au by 5.30am.
At 6.45am, heralded by a flashing police car, the Balclutha pipe band then lead a long parade backed by emergency services and armed forces delegations, school groups, community organisations, families and individuals about half a km through the chill dark to mark Anzac Day at the town’s 102-year-old cenotaph.
Dawn rose white and misty as master of ceremonies Lt Col Kevin Baff (Retd) lead the community through a service punctuated by haka, brass band, speeches, wreath laying and silent remembrance.
‘‘May they rest proudly in the knowledge of their great achievement and may we prove worthy of their great sacrifice,’’ RSA representative Captain Martin Ford (retd) said.
More than 1000 people from the Lake Hāwea and Wānaka communities gathered at Lake Hāwea this morning for the annual remembrance dawn service.
The tiny town showed what community is about, with people of all creeds and ages standing together for the national day.
Veterans, community stalwarts, and school children took the time to remember those soldiers fallen, in front of the Lake Hāwea war memorial.
Hāwea Flat School children sang a beautiful Hareruia to open.
Past and current service members were attending the service, with guest speaker Lance Corporal Daniel Leighton saying a few words.
Alexandra
Hundreds gathered around the Cenotaph in Alexandra on a bright yet cold morning for the wreath-laying service.
The Alexandra and Districts Pipe Band led the parade of current and former military, fire, police, cadets and others down Tarbert St.
Guest speaker Army Major Duncan McEwan spoke of the importance of the Anzac spirit and of New Zealand's shared history with Australia.
Foggy weather and freezing temperatures did not stop hundreds from turning up to the Clyde wreath-laying ceremony this morning.
Members of No 50 (Alexandra) Squadron Air Training Corps performed cenotaph duties.
Alexandra-Clyde RSA president Kevin Harding spoke of the significance of New Zealand, with a population of 1 million in 1914 sending 100,000 of its men to fight in World War 1.
Invercargill
A frosty morning did not deter about 1500 people from attending the Anzac Day dawn service held at the Invercargill Cenotaph.
Allan Fraser delivered the Ode to a receptive crowd full of veterans, military personnel and families.
Southlanders were meditative as they paid their respects to the fallen.
A sunny mid morning drew about 150 people to the Bluff Cenotaph for the Anzac Day Civic Service.
Bluff RSA President Phil Dickens recited the Ode.
The locals were cheerful and in a celebratory mood as they laid their wreaths and placed their poppies at the Cenotaph.
Gore
In the pitch-black cold, Gore’s dawn parade made its way down Mersey St to a crowd of about 600 encircling the cenotaph.
Reverend Bruce Cavanagh spoke before announcing the laying of the wreaths.
Gore RSA president Bradley Bridgman and Gore District Mayor Ben Bell both laid tributes.
They were followed by returned servicemen and women from the Vietnam, East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.
Mataura
At 8am in Mataura, with near-freezing temperatures, the Hokonui Celtic Pipe Band led an Anzac parade of around 60 people to the town’s cenotaph.
Former Mataura RSA president Dave McKenzie led the proceedings.
Living Well pastor Mike Whale then said a short prayer dedicated to those we may have lost, the community and to returned servicemen and women and their families.
- Staff reporters
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