The number of Anzac Day commemoration events in NZ will be significantly less this year due to heightened security concerns after the Christchurch terrorist attacks. There will only be 26 events (including dawn and civic services) held across Auckland, the council confirmed.

Last year there were 84 events spread across Auckland, but the council made the decision to scrap 58 events this year to effectively offer a visible police presence and alleviate public safety concerns.

The decision was made by the Auckland City Council, following advice from the police to consolidate events and thus significantly reduce risk of another attack. There is no specific threat to Anzac Day events, according to Auckland City district police, but they urged attendees to remain careful.

Graham Gibson, the Auckland RSA president, told Newstalk ZB that the council’s decision is about ensuring public safety and is not an extreme measure.

“We’re taking all precautions, we have not been bullied by the police, the council … we’re not reacting, we’re not going overboard”, Gibson said.

This year commemorates 104 years since the first Anzacs landed on the shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula, and the thousands of Australian and New Zealand lives lost during the war and the wars that followed.

Lest we forget.

Auckland Anzac Day services:

Dawn

• Wellsford
• Warkworth
• Browns Bay
• Waikumete Cemetery
• Waiheke
• Auckland Domain
• Pukekohe
• Howick
• Papakura
• Manukau Memorial Gardens

Civic

• Warkworth
• Browns Bay
• Silverdale
• Waikumete Cemetery
• Onehunga
• Waiheke
• Point Chevalier
• Auckland Domain
• Ōrākei
• Great Barrier Island
• Mt Wellington
• Pukekohe
• Waiuku
• Howick
• Ōtāhuhu
• Papakura