ANZAC Day speech template (New Zealand)
Published 10 October 2026 · Date checked on 5 October 2026 · Written by the Cue Card Converter team at EventProgrammer, event production professionals
Anzac Day, on 25 April, is New Zealand's day to remember New Zealanders killed in war and to honour returned service personnel. The date marks the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915, during the First World War. Dawn services are held across the country, followed by later civic services and parades. The national commemoration takes place at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington, and many people wear a red poppy.
- Date
- April 25
- Next dates
- Sunday 25 April 2027
Tuesday 25 April 2028
Wednesday 25 April 2029 - Country
- New Zealand
- Tone
- Solemn – remembrance
- Typical events
- Dawn and civic services at cenotaphs and war memorials, RSA gatherings, marae, school assemblies, and commemorations held by New Zealand embassies and high commissions abroad.
- Length
- 203 spoken words · about 1.5 min at 130 words a minute · 5 cue cards
The ANZAC Day speech, ready as cue cards
A complete host script in 5 cards, about 1.5 minutes of speaking. Open it in the editor to add your names, change the card size or highlights, and print.
- WELCOME1 / 5
Tēnā koutou, and good morning. I'm {Your name}, and on behalf of {RSA or organisation}, welcome to this Anzac Day civic service. We especially welcome our veterans, serving personnel and their whānau. Please remain seated until I invite you to stand. - WHY WE REMEMBER2 / 5
On 25 April 1915, New Zealand and Australian soldiers landed at Gallipoli, and many never returned. Since then, New Zealanders have served in wars and peacekeeping missions around the world. Today we remember those who died, and we honour all who came home, including those who carried wounds no one could see. - OUR GUEST SPEAKER3 / 5
This morning we will hear from {Guest speaker, service and rank}, who will speak about service and about what this day means to those who came home. We are grateful to have them with us.
[SPEAKER TO LECTERN] - THE ODE OF REMEMBRANCE4 / 5
Thank you. Please stand. The Ode of Remembrance will now be read in English and in te reo Māori by {Readers' names}, followed by the Last Post, a minute's silence and Rouse.
[ODE IN ENGLISH AND TE REO MĀORI – LAST POST – SILENCE – ROUSE] - ANTHEM AND CLOSING5 / 5
Please remain standing for our national anthem, sung in te reo Māori and in English.
[NATIONAL ANTHEM]
Please be seated. This concludes our service. As you leave, you are welcome to place your poppy at the memorial. Thank you for remembering with us this morning.
Red is used only for names, titles, organisations, dates, times and section headings. Replace the words in {curly brackets} with your own details; lines in [SQUARE BRACKETS] are stage directions and are not read aloud.
How to adapt it
- Many services read the Ode in both English and te reo Māori. Ask a fluent speaker to read the Māori version, and give each reader their text on a separate card.
- The RSA's Poppy Day appeal is held in the lead-up to Anzac Day. Invite guests to wear their poppies and to place them at the memorial after the service.
- Anzac Day morning is a restricted trading period, with most shops closed until 1 p.m. Arrange refreshments and supplies in advance, and allow time for people coming on from the dawn service.
- If 25 April falls on a weekend, the public holiday moves to the following Monday, but services are still held on 25 April itself. Check this year's arrangements before you plan.
Print and rehearse
“Edit and print these cards” opens the script in the free cue card maker, where you can choose A5, 4 × 6 or 3 × 5 inch cards, print several per sheet with cut lines or export PDF, PowerPoint and Word, and rehearse full screen in practice mode. To write your own programme around it, see how to write an MC script and the run of show template.
Sources
Date and background checked on 5 October 2026 against: Anzac Day - / - Te Rā o Ngā Hōia. Customs vary between organisations and regions; always follow the official programme of your event.
More New Zealand speech templates
- Waitangi Day · February 6