Kāpiti Coast community invited to commemorate Anzac Day at services across the district

Every year, New Zealanders gather on 25 April across the nation to remember and honour those who served and those who never returned home.

111 years have passed, and Anzac Day remains a National Day of Remembrance for all – a moment to honour the courage, sacrifice, and dedication shown by generations of New Zealanders in times of conflict in the pursuit of freedom and peace.

Kāpiti Coast District Deputy Mayor Martin Halliday says Anzac Day is about coming together to remember those that have served, still serve, and those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“The Gallipoli landing – the founding moment of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps feels distant in time, but it’s shaped this nation’s identity in ways that still resonates today,” says Cr Halliday.

“It reminds us that freedom and peace came at a great cost, and why the act of remembrance remains so important.

“It’s a time to come together and look after one another as many people still carry wounds that are not always visible.

“It’s also a moment to reflect on the current global conflicts, and a reminder that war is not the answer, we must continue to strive for a better way.

“The community is invited to various dawn and day services will be held across the district, with commemorations taking place in Paekākāriki, Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Ōtaki.”

Anzac Day services, Saturday 25 April 2026

Paekākāriki

• Paekākāriki Anzac Day Service – 8.30am
• Fall in at 8.15am at the corner of Paneta Street and the Parade heading South, marching off at 8.20am for a service at 8.30am at the Paekākāriki Memorial Hall followed by morning tea.

Paraparaumu

• Paraparaumu RSA Dawn Service - 6.30am
• Assemble from 6am at the Hospital Gates, Tutanekai Street. Fall in at 6.20am and march off at 6.25am up to the Memorial Gates for a 6.30am service.

Paraparaumu Citizens Service and Parade – 9.30am

• Community groups and organisations and members of the public are warmly invited to show their respect on Anzac Day and join the Citizens Service and Parade.
• Assemble from 9am at the Hospital Gates, Tutanekai Street. Fall in at 9.20am and march off at 9.25am up to the Memorial Gates for a 9.30am service.

US Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band Commemoration Performances – 11am–12.30pm

• "Marines on the Beach" concert featuring their brass quintet and jazz combo. Maclean Park, Marine Parade, Paraparaumu.

Waikanae

Waikanae Community Service, hosted by the Ōtaki RSA – 11am

Fall in at 10.45am at the Waikanae Club on Elizabeth Street. March to the Waikanae Memorial Hall for a 11am service.

Ōtaki

• Ōtaki RSA Dawn Service – 6am
• Fall in at 5.45am at Ōtaki RSA. March to Ōtaki War Memorial and Cenotaph for a 6am service.

Ōtaki RSA Sunset Retreat – 5pm, Ōtaki Service Cemetery, Anzac Road

• Fall in at 4.45pm for a 5pm service.

Road closures

Streets will be closed to ordinary vehicular traffic from 5am to 1pm on Saturday 25 April 2026

• Amohia Street from the Memorial Gates to State Highway 1, Paraparaumu
• Tutanekai Street from the Memorial Gates to Wairere Grove, Paraparaumu

Alternative route via Kapiti Road and Arawhata Road.

Wet weather contingency

• Check back on our website.

More information about these services can be found here.

For more information about Anzac Day services and commemorative events visit www.rsa.org.nz.

Lest we forget.