Hon Nathan Guy
Minister of Veterans’ Affairs
18 November 2012
Media Statement
One week left for public to have their say on Gallipoli 2015 balloting
New Zealanders have just one week left to have their say on how to ballot attendance at Anzac Day 2015 in Gallipoli,
says Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy.
“We expect that record numbers of New Zealanders and Australians will want to attend Gallipoli commemorations in 2015,
marking the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings.
“Because of the steep terrain, the Anzac Commemorative Site in Gallipoli can safely hold only about 10,000 people. This
means both countries will need to manage numbers in 2015 to ensure everyone’s safety.
“Public consultation on how the Government should ballot places closes on Sunday 25 November. Over 700 people have
filled out the survey so far, but we want to encourage more people to have their say.
“We want to hear New Zealanders’ views about how the attendance pass system could work and whether special groups should
be given priority. This could include descendants of Gallipoli veterans, veterans of other wars, serving members of the
Defence Force and youth representatives.
“New Zealand is expected to have around 2000 places and Australia 8000, reflecting each countries casualties at
Gallipoli in 1915,” says Mr Guy.
Under the proposed allocation system, New Zealanders interested in attending the services at Gallipoli would register
their interest next year with the ballot to be held by April 2014.
More than 8,500 New Zealanders and 50,000 Australians served at Gallipoli. By the end of the eight-month campaign,
2,721 New Zealanders and 8,709 Australians had died, and thousands were injured.
The online survey is available at www.gallipoli2015.govt.nz with submissions closing on 25 November 2012. Physical copies are available by calling Veterans Affairs New Zealand on
0800 483 8372.
Mr Guy will be discussing plans for Gallipoli 2015 at a Ministerial Summit on Veterans’ Affairs to be held in Canberra,
Australia from today till 20 November. The summit will be attended by representatives from Australia, USA and Canada.
ENDS