Auckland is set to commemorate Anzac Day with a series of parades and services held across the entire region on Saturday, 25 April 2026. Events from Rodney in the north to Franklin in the south, and across to the Hauraki Gulf islands, will provide an opportunity for residents to gather and pay their respects to the servicemen and servicewomen who have served New Zealand.
Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the 1915 landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli. It is a national day of remembrance to honour all New Zealanders who have served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The day is a time for reflection on the courage and self-sacrifice of those who have defended the country.
While Auckland Council has published a list of confirmed services, residents in areas like Ōtara and Papatoetoe are encouraged to check with their local Returned and Services’ Association (RSA) or community social media pages for the most detailed and up-to-date information on neighbourhood events. The Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area, known for its diverse and vibrant communities, has a strong sense of local identity, and many residents will be looking for ways to commemorate the day close to home.
The wider South and East Auckland area will have several services. Though specific Papatoetoe and Ōtara events have not been listed on the council page, neighbouring wards including Howick and Manukau are expected to host their own commemorations, giving locals plenty of options to pay their respects.
Auckland Domain Dawn Service
The principal regional commemoration will once again be the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Court of Honour in the Auckland Domain. This solemn service is a focal point for the city, drawing thousands of attendees before sunrise to remember the fallen.
The parade will assemble at 5am in the Auckland Museum’s underground carpark before commencing its march at 5:45am. The service officially begins at 6am. To accommodate the large crowds, big screens will be placed around the venue to ensure everyone has a clear view of the proceedings. Coffee vans will be available, offering Anzac biscuits for a gold coin donation to the RSA.
Significant road closures will be in effect around the Domain from 4am to 8am. These include Museum Circuit Road, Cenotaph Road, and Maunsell Road. Further closures on Football Road, Little George Street, The Crescent, Winter Garden Road, and Kiosk Road will be implemented from 5:30am. Commuters are advised to plan their travel accordingly, as the city's transport network will be affected. Limited mobility parking will be accessible until 5:30am via The Crescent, Winter Garden, and Kiosk Roads.
Central and West Auckland services
Numerous other services will take place across the central and western suburbs. In Mt Albert, a parade will assemble at 9am on Councillors Drive, followed by a 9:30am service at the Mt Albert War Memorial Hall. Similarly, the Mt Roskill service will begin at 10am at its War Memorial Cenotaph on May Road after a parade from the Oakley Creek bridge.
Grey Lynn will host a parade starting at 9:30am on Richmond Road, with a service at 9:45am outside the Grey Lynn Returned Services Club. In Onehunga, the parade will march from the corner of Church Street and Onehunga Mall at 9:30am, concluding with a 10am service at Club Onehunga on Princess Street.
For those in West Auckland, the New Lynn RSA will hold its service at 9:30am following a parade through the town centre. The route will see rolling road closures along McRae Way, Great North Road, and Memorial Drive. Titirangi’s parade is scheduled to start at 10:10am from the village carpark, with a service to follow at the local RSA.
Anzac Day holds a special place in New Zealand’s national identity, and the tradition of dawn services is particularly poignant. The timing is symbolic, recalling the pre-dawn landing at Gallipoli. The service typically includes a catafalque party, hymns, prayers, a commemorative address, the laying of wreaths, the playing of The Last Post, a moment of silence, and the singing of the national anthem. Similar events are noted internationally, as Princess Kate to attend London Anzac Day services. For more historical context, the public can visit resources like the NZHistory website from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
Island and sunset commemorations
The Hauraki Gulf islands will also hold services. On Waiheke Island, a Dawn Service will be held at 6am at the Cenotaph outside the Waiheke RSA, followed by a Civic Service at 11:10am. On Aotea/Great Barrier Island, a service is scheduled for 12pm at Tryphena Hall.
For those an opportunity to reflect later in the day, a special sunset service will be held at Coyle Park in Point Chevalier. The Albert-Eden Local Board invites the community to join as a lone bugler plays The Last Post while the sun sets. The parade for this event assembles at 5:20pm.
As communities across Papatoetoe, Ōtara, and the greater Auckland region finalise their plans, the message is one of unity and remembrance. The events provide a chance for New Zealanders of all backgrounds to come together, reflect on their shared heritage, and honour the enduring legacy of the Anzacs.
