Big crowd expected for ANZAC dawn ceremony
More than 2000 people are again expected to descend on Waikumete Cemetery this ANZAC Day to participate in the City’s
increasingly popular candle-lit dawn ceremony.
Located on the corner of Great North and Glenview Rds, Glen Eden, Waikumete is the country’s largest war graves
cemetery. Some 10,000 veterans from the First and Second World Wars, as well as the Korea, Malaya and Vietnam conflicts,
are buried there.
Candles will flicker as the parade of returned servicemen and women walk down a cemetery path to the gathering. National
anthems and hymns will be sung, prayers read and the Last Post and Reveille played before wreaths are laid by
representatives of Waitakere City Council, government and opposition parties, RSAs, armed forces, emergency services,
schools, community organisations and the next of kin of those who fought for their country.
The dawn service is organised by the Waitakere City Council and hosted by the Glen Eden RSA. Participants are asked to
assemble at 5.45am for the 6am ceremony. Candles will be provided.
Other local RSAs are also holding their own services throughout the day.