Join us this Anzac Day for a day of commemoration, including the Dawn Service, free tours, choral performances, and poetry readings.
General entry to the Museum is free to everyone on Anzac Day. The entire Museum, including the cafés, stores, and special exhibition Sharks, will open directly following the Dawn Service.
The programme below may be subject to change without notice.
SAT 25 APR
DAWN SERVICE
6AM, COURT OF HONOUR
Following the Anzac Day Dawn Service, visit our commemorative galleries for your own personal reflections and to discover more about New Zealand’s history and involvement in conflicts around the world.
MACLEANS COLLEGE CHORALE
6.45AM, WWI HALL OF MEMORIES, LEVEL 2
8.30AM, TE AO MĀRAMA SOUTH ATRIUM
Under the musical direction of Sarah McNabb, Macleans College Chorale, Macleans College’s premier choir will perform a programme of reflection and remembrance in the World War I Hall of Memories after the Dawn Service, then move to Te Ao Mārama South Atrium for the second performance.
LEST WE FORGET POETRY COMPETITION READINGS,
WITH NZ POET LAUREATE ROBERT SULLIVAN
9.30AM, AUDITORIUM, LEVEL 2
Join us in support of the winners of our 20th and final Lest We Forget Poetry Competition, as they read their winning entries. New Zealand’s 2025-2028 Poet Laureate, Robert Sullivan will be joining our competition winners and reading from his own work, Cassino City of Martyrs, inspired by his grandfather's participation in the Second World War as part of the 28 Māori Battalion.
Participants were asked to create a response to our annual theme He Ara Whakamua: Pathways Forward.
FREE WWI AND WWII TOURS
7.30AM, 8.30AM, 9.30AM, 10.30AM, 11.30AM, 12.30PM, 1.30PM, 2.30 PM and 3.30PM. Tours also available in Mandarin at 10.45AM, 11.45AM, 1.45PM, 2.45PM.
MEET AT RED ARROW NEXT TO THE TOURS BANNER, GRAND FOYER, GROUND LEVEL NORTH.
Join our experienced guides for a 45-minute tour exploring the stories of World War I and World War II. No bookings required.
MILITARY SERVICE RESEARCH
6.45AM - 5PM
POU MAUMAHARA MEMORIAL DISCOVERY CENTRE, LEVEL 2
Explore the stories of New Zealanders who served, using Online Cenotaph. Whether you are tracing a family member or deepening your understanding of service history, staff can guide you in uncovering records, personal stories, and connections across more than 40 conflicts.
PEACE TREE
6.45AM – 5PM, WWI HALL OF MEMORIES
Write a message for peace and hope for those living in war-torn countries.
PINWHEEL POPPIES
6.45AM – 5PM, WEIRD AND WONDERFUL, LEVEL 1
Create your own pinwheel red poppy to take home as a reminder of your day.
Field of Remembrance
From Thursday 16 to Tuesday 28 April, a field of white crosses will be planted before the Museum to honour our fallen New Zealand soldiers from all wars & conflicts from 1845-2012.
Transport and parking
The Museum's underground car park will open at 8AM on Anzac Day, and will be free all day. See road closure information at Our Auckland.
From laying a virtual poppy to reading about additions to our Halls of Memories and the heroics of newspaper printers in WWII Crete, you can find many more ways to honour our service personnel at our Anzac Day at Home page.