ANZAC Day (25 April) is observed in New Zealand as a day of commemoration for those who died in the service of their country and to honour returned servicemen and women.

The 25th of April is the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli in 1915. This year marks 104 years since that initial landing. Since 1916 services have been held throughout the country in remembrance of the 2,721 New Zealand soldiers who died during the eight-month Gallipoli Campaign.

Since the first anniversary of the Gallipoli landing in 1916, ANZAC Day has evolved to acknowledge the sacrifice and service of subsequent wars and to encompass new understandings of the full impact of armed conflict on those who have served their country.

At Tuesday’s assembly we remembered those, including former King’s High School students, who gave their lives and service to maintain our freedom.