Hamiltonians of all ages will once again gather to honour Fallen and Returned Servicemen and Women on Friday 25 April.

The 2025 Anzac Day commemorations at the Memorial Park Cenotaph will begin at 6am for the dawn service, followed by a civic service at 10am.

Returned and Services’ Association Chaplain Lance Langley will be master of ceremonies for both services that mark the anniversary of the landing of the ANZACs (the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) on Turkey’s Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915.

Mayor Paula Southgate, who will speak at the civic service, shares the importance of the annual day of remembrance.

“It’s a time for Hamiltonians to come together and honour the bravery and sacrifice of those before us. In doing so we remember those to whom we owe so much, and we keep the history alive for our future generations.”

Large screens will be positioned at each end of Memorial Park so attendees can see and hear proceedings from multiple vantage points. The services will also be livestreamed on Council’s website hamilton.govt.nz/anzacday.

The dawn parade will depart from the corner of Victoria Street and Anzac Parade at 5.50am while the civic parade will assemble on the corner of Memorial Drive and Anzac Parade at 9.45am.

Air Commodore Shaun Sexton New Zealand Defence Force will be the guest speaker at this year’s civic service.

As with past Anzac Day commemorations, more than 5000 poppies will be installed on the corner of Memorial Drive and Anzac Parade. The Hamilton RSA will place 350 white crosses in Memorial Park in memory of Hamiltonians lost in conflict.

The tradition of remembrance has been passed down the generations for more than 100 years. Among the young people who will be participating in this year’s services is Staff Sergeant Cadet Isabella Aglioti.

“Anzac Day is a day to remember those who have fought before us for our rights and freedom that we have today, as well as those currently serving in the Defence Forces,” shares Aglioti.

“I participate in the Anzac Day service because my father was in the Defence Force, and he has shown me what a pride it is to carry this uniform on my shoulders.”

Anzac Day road closures

A series of road closures around Memorial Park will be in place on Friday 25 April.

• Road closed 3am – midday:
  Memorial Drive (from Anzac Parade to Riro Street)
• Road closed 5am – 11.15am:
  Anzac Parade (from Grey Street to Victoria Street)
• Road closed 5am – 7am and 9.45am – 11.15am
  Victoria Street (from Knox Street to Anzac Parade)
• Road closed 5am – midday:
  River Road / Memorial Drive (from Te Aroha Street to Anzac Parade)

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