In commemoration of the landing and sacrifice of New Zealand troops at Anzac cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula, the New Zealand government declared 25 April a half day holiday “Anzac Day”, commencing at 1:00pm 25 April 1916.
During April 1916 the main New Zealand contingent “The New Zealand Division”, including many¹ of the New Zealand troops that were evacuated from the abandoned Anzac cove area in December 1915, arrived in France from Egypt.
The Gallipoli campaign cost New Zealand nearly 7,500 casualties, including 2,721 dead.
During the WWI centenary period, fields of remembrance were created at various places around the country, including one for the fallen of the Wellington region, at the Wellington botanical gardens.
1. The New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade remained in Egypt, tasked with protecting the Suez canal.