ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day remembers New Zealanders and Australians who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. It began with remembrance of the Gallipoli campaign of 1915, then grew into a broader day of commemoration for service and sacrifice.

Dawn services are among its best-known rituals. People gather before sunrise at cenotaphs and memorials, often wearing poppies, listening to readings and observing silence. The public holiday status also carries weekday transfer rules when April 25 falls on a weekend.

The first anniversary commemorations followed the 1915 Gallipoli landings, and a full public holiday began in 1921. The day now remembers New Zealand service and loss across wars, conflicts and peacekeeping without requiring glorification of war or treating Māori, Pacific and other service experiences as identical. In 2026 April 25 was Saturday; Monday April 27 was the transferred holiday only for employees who would not otherwise work Saturday. Trading restrictions remained on April 25 until 1 p.m. and were not Mondayised. Under the Holidays Act, a paid day off depends on whether the date would otherwise be a working day for the employee. Someone required to work receives at least time-and-a-half and, when it is otherwise a working day, an alternative holiday. An open hospital, transport service, hospitality business or exempt shop therefore does not mean that employee rights disappear.