21 April 2006
New Zealand Defence Force On Anzac Day
As always on ANZAC Day, the New Zealand Defence Force will be involved in a wide variety of activities throughout the
country. New Zealand Defence Force personnel will be spread from Northland to Invercargill providing support to
commemorative events to mark one of New Zealand's most significant days. This year, the Year of the Veteran, is the 91st
anniversary of ANZAC Day.
In Wellington, Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson, Chief of Defence Force, will attend a Dawn Service held at the Cenotaph at
5.45am, along with Wellington based Defence personnel. Major General Jerry Mateparae, Chief of Army and Chief of Defence
Force Designate, will attend morning ANZAC Day events in Porirua.
New Zealand Defence Force personnel will provide a dawn to dusk vigil ceremony over the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at
the National War Memorial in Wellington from 6am to 6pm. Senior Defence Force staff will attend a National Wreath-Laying
Ceremony at the National War Memorial at 11am.
A Beating Retreat ceremony will be performed by the Army's 7th Wellington and Hawkes Bay Battalion Band in Wellington's
Civic Square at 4pm. Members of the public are invited to attend.
Over 450 New Zealand Defence Force personnel will be serving overseas in 14 countries this ANZAC Day.
ENDS