Skip to main content
For all of the official advice and support to get us through COVID-19, visit the Government's website at https://covid19.govt.nz/
Unite against COVID-19
News and media functions have been identified as an essential service during the COVID-19 response and Level 4 period. Media organisations should familiarise themselves with the following principles and guidelines.
Advice on news and media as an essential service during COVID-19 response
Creative New Zealand’s Emergency Response Package reflects a changed landscape, delivers opportunities for new and refocused creative projects that work in that new landscape, and bolsters a sector knocked to its knees by the impact of COVID-19.
Details of Creative New Zealand’s first phase arts sector boost, ahead of 14 April opening
National Anzac Day Services at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park and Atatürk Memorial will not be going ahead this year due to the mass gathering restrictions in place in response to COVID-19. The unveiling of the Pacific Islands Memorial at Pukeahu, planned for 18 April, has also been postponed.
No National Anzac Day Services and Pacific Islands Memorial Unveiling Postponed
Do you want to see an outstanding Deaf or disabled artist recognised? How about an inclusive project celebrating community arts or a leader providing access to the arts for people in New Zealand? Nominations to this year’s Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards, presented annually by Arts Access Aotearoa, have been extended until 5pm Monday 20 April.
Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards 2020 call for nominations
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Manatū Taonga have decided to delay the next round of Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho Oral History Awards – Piki Ake! Kake Ake! from a deadline for applications of 30 April to 15 October this year. This will allow oral historians to comply with current Ministry of Health guidelines to reduce unnecessary face to face contacts.
Ngā Kōrero Tuku Iho, New Zealand Oral History Awards update
Watch this clip from the start of Taika Waititi's semi-autobiographical 2010 comedy 'Boy'. The film swiftly became New Zealand's biggest box office hit, and the song 'Poi e', revived for the soundtrack, also raced to the top of the charts. Waititi used his grandmother's house on the East Coast as the main set for the production, and hired local residents as extras. Part of Te Ara's web feature on humour.
Watch a clip from Taika Waititi's Boy comedy
In the early 21st century anxiety over the danger of Influenza A virus subtypes H5N1 (avian flu) and H1N1 (swine flu), and the Covid-19 coronavirus, has revived memories of New Zealand's worst disease outbreak, the lethal influenza pandemic that struck between October and December 1918. Image shows the emergency ambulances alongside the Wellington Town Hall during the 1918 flu pandemic.
NZHistory's feature on the 1918 influenza pandemic
The recent launch of the Ngati Porou treaty settlement documentary is significant for the iwi and for all New Zealanders as we further our understanding of the journey to Te Tiriti o Waitangi settlements, Bernadette Cavanagh CE Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage says.
Ngati Porou share their journey towards Te Tiriti settlement

Get the full story

Home NZ Identity & Heritage Anzac Day

Anzac Day

Anzac Day occurs on 25 April. It commemorates all New Zealanders killed in war and honours our returned servicemen and women.

The National Anzac Day Services at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park and Atatürk Memorial will not be going ahead this year due to the mass gathering restrictions in place in response to COVID-19. 

While there will be no national Anzac Day commemorative services, there will be an act of remembrance on behalf of the people of New Zealand at the National War Memorial. This will not be open to the public or media but will be recorded for subsequent broadcast.

More details in the No National Anzac Day Services and Pacific Islands Memorial Unveiling Postponed media release.

View from the Dawn Service on Anzac Day 2019 at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. Image courtesy of Mark Tantrum Photography.

The date itself marks the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers – the Anzacs – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. The aim was to capture the Dardanelles, the gateway to the Bosphorus and the Black Sea. At the end of the campaign, Gallipoli was still held by its Turkish defenders.

New Zealanders have marked the landings at Gallipoli since news of the event first reached this country, and Anzac Day has been a public holiday since 1921. On this day the people of New Zealand have acknowledged the sacrifice of all those who have died in warfare, and the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.

Over time there have been changes in the way that the day has been commemorated, reflecting the changing features and concerns of our society. During the Second World War, for example, there was increased interest and a heightened sense of the relevance of Anzac Day; in the 1960s and decades following it was from time to time used as a platform for anti-war and other social protest.

Today, at a time when it seems New Zealanders are increasingly keen to assert and celebrate a unique identity, we recognise Anzac Day as a central marker of our nationhood.

The number of New Zealanders attending Anzac Day events in New Zealand, and at Gallipoli, is increasing. For some younger people, the sombre focus of the day receives less emphasis than do the more celebratory aspects of a national holiday. For most, though, the day is an occasion on which to formally pay tribute and to remember.

Anzac Day now promotes a sense of unity, perhaps more effectively than any other day on the national calendar. People whose politics, beliefs and aspirations are widely different can nevertheless share a genuine sorrow at the loss of so many lives in war, and a real respect for those who have endured warfare on behalf of the country we live in.

Historical information

Visit the Ministry's NZHistory website for a comprehensive online collection of World War One material.  You can also discover more stories about the war on WW100's website.

NZHistory - First World War resources

NZHistory - Anzac Day resources

WW100 website

Statistical information about New Zealand casualties in overseas wars is here.

Anzac legislation

Section 17 of the Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981 (the Act) prohibits the use of the word ‘Anzac’ in trade or business.  The Ministry has compiled some guidelines as to what uses of Anzac or ANZAC will generally not be in breach of the prohibition in section 17.   

We recommend using the term 'ANZAC' – with all capitals – only when referring to the specific Corps. For all other uses 'Anzac' is preferred. For example, 'On the Western Front there were two Anzac corps, with New Zealand Division serving in II ANZAC Corps until 1918. New Zealanders who died in war are remembered on Anzac Day.'

Use of the word ‘Anzac’ guidelines

Contact us if you have any questions about the use of the term ‘Anzac’.

A copy of the 1916 New Zealand Gazette notice proclaiming Anzac Day as a half-day holiday is available on our NZHistory website.

Legislation passed in 1949 prevented Anzac Day from being 'Mondayised'. The current Anzac Day Act 1966 liberalised activities after 1pm.

In April 2013 the Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Act was passed. This legislation enables an extra public holiday when Anzac Day falls on the weekend.

Anzac Day Act 1966

Flags, Emblems, and Name Protection Act 1981

Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Act 2013

 

File download

Updated on 7th April 2020