Westfield has admitted it made a mistake in a promotion taking advantage of ANZAC commemorations.

Westfield Chartwell in Hamilton was encouraging a "bring your little ANZAC to Mummy morning".

Some shoppers have taken offence to children being refereed to as ANZACs and the use of the term that's protected under law.

Westfield admits the promotion mishap is embarassing.

A spokesperson for the shopping centre says the intent was to hold activities to educate children about ANZAC, but it was not portrayed well.