Anzac Day Act 1966

2: Anzac Day to be day of commemoration

You could also call this:

"Anzac Day is a special day to remember people who served New Zealand in wars."

You know that 25 April is a special day in New Zealand. It is called Anzac Day and it is a day to commemorate those who have served New Zealand in times of war. You commemorate people who have died in war or in military service on this day.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM379811.

This page was last updated on 4 April 2026 — View changes

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1: Short Title, or

"The law's name is the Anzac Day Act 1966"

3: Observance of Anzac Day, or

"What happens on Anzac Day"

2Anzac Day to be day of commemoration

In commemoration of the contribution of all those who have served New Zealand in time of war and in warlike conflicts (including those who died), and of all those who have died in New Zealand military service, or whose death was connected with New Zealand military service, at any other time, 25 April in each year (being the anniversary of the first landing of troops from New Zealand, Australia, and other allied forces on Gallipoli) is to be known as Anzac Day, and is to be a day of commemoration.
In this section, a person serves in a warlike conflict if they serve in response to an armed conflict that has occurred, is occurring, or may occur or recur.

Notes

Section 2: replaced, on 21 February 2026, by section 4 of the Anzac Day Amendment Act 2026 (2026 No 3).