Record turnout at dawn service
Over 1000 people from the Lake Hāwea and Wānaka communities gathered at Lake Hāwea on Friday for the annual Anzac remembrance dawn service.
The tiny town showed what community is all about. People of all creeds and ages stood together for the national day to make a record crowd of 1039.
Veterans, community stalwarts and school children gathered in front of the Lake Hāwea war memorial to remember fallen soldiers.
Hāwea Flat School children sang a beautiful Hareruia to open.
Local Sergeant Lorne Capell led the 110th anniversary of the Anzac landings and acknowledged all New Zealand personnel who had served.
"We are here to remember and celebrate the lives of service personnel, not just those who passed in Turkey, but in the many battles and conflicts since. We pay tribute to all sacrifices made in the line of duty," Sgt Capell said.
Past and current service members attended the service where Lance-corporal Daniel Leighton was the guest speaker.
Lcpl Leighton enlisted in the army in 2007 and attained a red diamond during his time in the army. He served in Afghanistan twice in the Special Air Service and a variety of roles with the New Zealand Army.
"Veterans have always been central to Anzac Day commemorations in New Zealand," he said.
"On this occasion, as we approach the 80th anniversary of the Second World War, we should particularly acknowledge the great sacrifices of the small band of surviving Second World War veterans and departing comrades.
"The passing of time does not diminish what they did. What they endured and gave up in defence of our country and the values we hold."
Lcpl Leighton acknowledged the current conflicts across the globe.
"Today, the system is under acute strain and the world is a more unstable and dangerous place than it has been for decades.
"When we leave here today, we may like to consider what we as individuals can do to continue to uphold the rule of law, freedom and basic human rights across the world."
"Anzac Day has always been, as it should be, a day for reflecting and remembering."
Lcpl Leighton moved to Hāwea and took up a building apprenticeship after his service in the army.
The community of over 1000 sang the Australian and New Zealand national anthems before gathering at the community hall for a breakfast.
A similar amount of people gathered in Wānaka for the dawn service held at the war memorial.
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