Museum Anzac Red Lighting
Commemorate from Home

Unable to attend in-person commemorations? This page brings you a range of additional ways to engage in remembrance. 

To see information about visiting us for Anzac Day 2026, click here. 

Latest articles

Explore stories of service and sacrifice from researchers at Online Cenotaph and beyond. 

The Blanks Family Story
Medals returned home: The Blanks family

After 45 years abroad, one set of World War I medals will be returning to Auckland in time for Anzac Day 2025. This story was recently shared with the Online Cenotaph team by Scott Blanks, whose grandfather’s medals made their way across the Tasman and are now in the care of Scott’s son, Nicholas. 
Upholding Māoritanga: Stories of Māori Prisoners of War in WWII
Upholding Māoritanga: Stories of Māori Prisoners of War in WWII

While stories of New Zealand’s prisoners of war during WWII are plentiful, there has been little focus on the experiences of Māori POW. Their stories reveal that despite hardship, significant displays of Māoritanga broke through the mundanity and hopelessness of their time as prisoners and demonstrate the importance of their experiences in New Zealand’s history. 
War Memorial in Auckland
Remembering the Fallen: Memorials and Memory in post-War New Zealand

In towns and cities across Aotearoa New Zealand, war memorials stand as quiet witnesses to sacrifice, loss, and remembrance. The story of a lamp-post in Rakaia, gifted in memory of one young soldier, reminds us of the deeply personal motives behind these public memorials.
The Amp: Episode 8: Anzac Day
THE AUCKLAND MUSEUM PODCAST
Anzac Day at Auckland Museum

As Auckland’s War Memorial Museum, Anzac Day is our most important day of the year. In this episode of The Amp, find out how we get ready to welcome thousands and thousands of visitors for the Dawn Service, and what it means to us to continue this time-honoured tradition.

Listen now

Lest We Forget Poetry Competition 2025

For 2025's annual Lest We Forget poetry competition, writers were invited to respond to the theme of Resilient Bonds: War's Human Legacy.

WATCH NOW

Click through to watch the finalists' poetry readings. 

Things to do

Explore creative ways your household can get involved this Anzac Day

Bake Some Anzac Biscuits
RECIPE
Bake Some Anzac Biscuits

The Anzac biscuit is not only a beloved baked treat, but a delicious way to commemorate New Zealand's service men and women. From our Documentary Heritage collection, taste an iconic part of New Zealand's culinary history with this recipe from 1924. 

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Make your own poppy
CRAFT ACTIVIY
Make your own poppy

You can create your own poppy at home! We've put together two different methods for making poppies using whatever you have in your craft box and a little Kiwi ingenuity.

GET CRAFTING
Learn to talk like an Anzac
ARTICLE
Learn to talk like an Anzac

Just as words like 'lockdown' and 'bubble' have come to define our COVID-19 lives, war spawned a new, often times humorous, language to describe the miserable, dangerous and peculiar world that soldiers found themselves in. Discover some of the phrases coined by WWI soldiers - some you may still use today!

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Place a virtual poppy
ONLINE CENOTAPH
Place a virtual poppy

This Poppy Day, you can honour those thousands of New Zealand servicepeople without known graves, by laying a virtual poppy on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

LAY A POPPY

Things to watch

Discover Auckland Museum's original videos

Life as a young Anzac soldier
VIDEO SERIES
Life as a young Anzac soldier

In this Auckland Museum original miniseries, learn what life was like serving for New Zealand in WWI from a first person perspective. 

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Centenary Dawn Service
TIMELAPSE
Centenary Dawn Service

2015 marked 100 years since the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli. As part of the centenary commemorations, a timelapse video was filmed showing the sunrise over the Dawn Service. 

PLAY
The Last Post Bugler
VIDEO
The Last Post Bugler

Every day at 5pm the Museum plays 'The Last Post' to signal closing for the day and to reflect our place as a War Memorial. Former Mayor of Howick Morrin Cooper tells us about recording the performance over 15 years ago and why the bugle was used during wartime.

PLAY

Things to read

As Auckland's War Memorial Museum we work year round to commemorate our service personnel through new articles and stories. 

Return from War: The Impact of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic on First World War Veterans
Return from War: The Impact of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic on First World War Veterans

As New Zealand's servicepeople returned home from the First World War they were faced with the rise of an influenza pandemic. It killed thousands of New Zealanders, and many soldiers. These are the stories of two of those men.

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David Daniel and the 14 Squadron
David Daniel and the 14 Squadron

David Daniel's journey from joining the Air Training Corps in New Zealand to his service in Japan's post-war efforts reflects a noteworthy yet relatable experience. Initially drawn to flying, his path led to essential ground roles during WWII and Japan's rebuilding, illustrating the valuable contributions of service personnel during this pivotal period.
New Zealand Nurses in Samoa
New Zealand Nurses in Samoa

When the Expeditionary Force Advance Party set sail from Wellington to Samoa on 12 August 1914, they became some of the first New Zealand troops to see active service. Among them were six, soon to be seven, New Zealand nurses whose unusual service fundamentally shaped New Zealand's contribution to the war effort.
Hope you ok ma?: The Jayforce letters of James Thomas Griffin
Hope you ok ma?: The Jayforce letters of James Thomas Griffin

James Thomas Griffin's service with Jayforce in Japan (1946-1947) underscores New Zealand's role in demilitarisation and reconstruction post-WWII. Stationed in Yamaguchi, his letters, shared by his daughter Judy Cardno, reveal the impacts on locals and the experiences of New Zealand forces, offering insights into the daily life of the military in Japan.
Tough Love: Kayforce Engagement with the Korean People
Tough Love: Kayforce Engagement with the Korean People

In the Korean War, New Zealand's Kayforce built meaningful connections with Koreans, transcending initial barriers of mistrust and language. Their involvement in humanitarian efforts and the formation of bonds highlighted a remarkable story of camaraderie and compassion, showcasing the positive impacts of their presence amidst the complexities of war.
The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Contingent
The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Contingent

In 1918, twenty five members of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Native Police Force travelled to New Zealand to enlist for war. This is their odyssey.
Ben Peckham: the advocate
Ben Peckham: the advocate

Ben Peckham served in the New Zealand Army from 1990 until 1997 including service in Bosnia. In this interview we consider his life before, during and after service. Ben's experience has made him a passionate advocate in the veteran support space. He believes the incredible wrap-around support he received during some of his hardest times should be the default experience for other personnel.
Standing Corrected
LONG READ
Standing Corrected

Remembrance isn't always set in stone. Learn more about our ongoing dedication to commemoration to New Zealand's service personnel with the story behind the fascinating process of corrections and additions to the names chiselled into the walls on the Rolls of Honour. 

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Vietnam through the lens of Lance Corporal Heremaia
Vietnam through the lens of Lance Corporal Heremaia

Lance Corporal Te Hira Wati Heremaia served with both the New Zealand Special Air Service and as part of the New Zealand Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion. During his tours in Vietnam he took many photos, preserving his wartime experience. Our thanks to Te Hira’s granddaughter, Taylen Heremaia, who got in contact and made the generous offer to share her grandfather’s slides.

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"What is to be Auckland's War Memorial?"
ARTICLE
"What is to be Auckland's War Memorial?"

On 19 September 1922 a jury of citizens announced the result of the international competition to design the new Auckland War Memorial Museum on the Domain, overlooking the Waitemata harbour. The Museum has a rich archive of original architectural designs, specifications, photographs and press cuttings relating to the international competition which is explored in the video and topic page below by Auckland Museum's Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive Dr David Gaimster.

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