A public service at Wellington’s Pukeahu National War Memorial Park has been cancelled due to high winds.
In a statement, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage said the 11am service and the Atatürk Memorial wreath-laying service in Strathmore would not go ahead as planned.
“It is very unfortunate that we have had to cancel today’s service due to high winds,” said secretary chief executive Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae.
The national commemoration was cancelled for the health and safety of veterans, visitors and guests, the ministry said.
One person described the cancellation as “a pity”, telling 1News it was particularly a shame for those who came to pay respects. “But we can, you know, carry on and think about them [the soldiers].”
Another said they thought the conditions weren’t that bad as they were “hardly even in a jacket” and called the situation “very overblown”.
“Wellington is often windy, so cancelling it with the wind is very disappointing.”
RNZ reported a private national ceremony took place instead inside the Hall of Memories — a small building under the cenotaph at the National War Memorial Park.
The hall pays tribute to all those killed in service to New Zealand. From inside, high winds can be heard loudly buffeting the building, RNZ reported.
Major General Martyn Dunne from the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association began the national ceremony with the requiem and said Anzac Day was a time to remember all those who have served New Zealand in times of war.
A Dawn Service at the national park went ahead as planned this morning.