Updated 9.54am: It's the largest crowd at the Auckland dawn service in years.

Dylan Moran says people are silent as they remember those who died in Gallipoli.

He says people are tired, but honoured to be there.

"Most people agree it's worthwhile showing up to pay their respects, especially on a centenary year such as this, with so much meaning around it."

He says the crowd for this morning's Dawn Service stretched across the front lawn and around both sides of the building.

"Some people even had to climb up onto the building itself, just to get a view."

Rangitoto College student Callum Knight read the Anzac dedication at this morning's dawn service in Auckland.

"We who are gathered here think of the comrades who then and since fought for freedom, on land, sea and in the air, but did not return."

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has laid a wreath at the Auckland War Memorial.

He spoke of our young nation's brutal introduction to the realities of modern warfare.

Mayor Brown says we will not forget the sacrifice of our people.

13,000 New Zealand soldiers took part in the gruelling eight month Gallipoli campaign - almost two thousand 780 lost their lives.