First World War Centenary International Commemorations

The New Zealand Government conducted First World War centenary commemoration services in France and Belgium (known as the Western Front) and in Turkey and Israel from 2016-2018.

Here you will find details about the individual commemorations.

These commemorations are part of New Zealand’s First World War centenary programme, WW100. Information on the national commemorations held in New Zealand is available on the National ceremonies page.

If you are planning to attend overseas commemorations in the future, please visit the New Zealand Defence Force’s webpage outlining details of commemorations such as Anzac Day at Gallipoli and how to register.

You can view details, programmes and recordings of the overseas centenary commemorations below.

• 25 April 2015: Anzac landings at Gallipoli - Turkey
• 8 August 2015: Battle for Chunuk Bair - Turkey
  Download the official programme (PDF, 2 MB)
  Watch the Chunuk Bair centenary service on YouTube
• 15 September 2016: Battle of the Somme - France
  Download the official programmes for the dawn service (PDF, 13.7 MB), national commemoration (PDF, 6 MB) and the sunset ceremony (PDF, 13.7 MB)
  Watch recordings of the Somme centenary dawn service, national commemoration and sunset ceremony on YouTube
• 7 June 2017: Battle of Messines - Belgium 
  Download the official programmes for the national service (PDF, 13.8 MB) and sunset ceremony (PDF, 9.38 MB)
  Watch recordings of the Messines centenary national service and sunset ceremony on YouTube
• 12 October 2017: Battle of Passchendaele - Belgium 
  Download the official programmes for the national service (PDF, 1.5 MB) and the sunset ceremony (PDF, 523 KB)
  Watch recordings of the Passchendaele centenary national service and sunset ceremony on YouTube
• 31 October 2017: Battle of Beersheba - Israel 
  Download the official programme for the national service (PDF, 1.5 MB)
  Watch a recording of the joint Australia-New Zealand Beersheba centenary service and 360 video of the New Zealand national ceremony on YouTube
• 4 November 2018: Liberation of Le Quesnoy - France
  Download the official programmes for the national service (PDF, 4.5 MB) and Last Post ceremony (PDF, 434 KB)