Civic events  |  3h ago

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Christchurch residents are invited to remember New Zealand’s fallen soldiers at the Anzac Day dawn service in Cathedral Square.

Thousands usually gather next to the Citizens’ War Memorial each year to mark New Zealand’s 1915 Gallipoli Campaign, as well as the country’s contribution to other military campaigns since then.

Veterans will meet at the Worcester Boulevard bridge at 6.15am on Saturday 25 April and then march to Cathedral Square for the service and formalities, which begin at 6.30am.

Mayor Phil Mauger will lay a wreath on behalf the city and people of Christchurch.

Representatives of the New Zealand Defence Force, the Governments of New Zealand, Australia and the UK will also lay wreaths in memory of the fallen.

The New Zealand Army Band will lead the parade, with the service including the playing of the Last Post, a minute’s silence and the singing of the New Zealand national anthem.

Later in the morning, at 10am, the Christchurch Citizen’s Service will be held at the Transitional Cathedral in Latimer Square.

Road closures will be in place around Cathedral Square, with pedestrian access only from 4am.

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

·         Heathcote: War Memorial (Martindale-Bridal Path-Flavell), 6.15am

·         Harewood: Harewood War Memorial, 721 Harewood Rd, 7.00am

·         Cashmere: 19th Battalion and Armoured Regiment Memorial Victoria Park, 8.00am

·         Riccarton: 20th Battalion Association, Jane Deans Close, 9.00am

·         Hornby: Hornby War Memorial, Hornby Primary School Ground, 190 Waterloo Rd, 9.00am

·         Halswell: War Memorial/Domain, 9.00am

·         Little River: Community Hall, 9.30am

·         Waltham: Waltham Park Memorial Gates, 9.30am

·         Ilam: University of Canterbury, Matariki Quad, 20 Kirkwood Ave, 10.00am

·         New Brighton: Cenotaph, Marine Parade, 10.00am

·         Lyttelton: War Memorial, Albion Square, 10.00am

·         Diamond Harbour: War Memorial Hall, 10.30am

·         Templeton: Templeton RSA, Banks Street, 11.00am

·         Aranui: St Ambrose Church, 11.00am

·         Sumner: RSA Memorial Gates, 11.00am

·         Akaroa: War Memorial, 11.30am

·         Wigram: Airforce Museum, 45 Harvard Avenue, 12.00pm