Updated 12.00pm: The Prime Minister has been hearing about the horrendous conditions New Zealand troops were confronted with when they arrived in Gallipoli 100 years ago today.
John Key was standing on what's become hallowed ground at Chunuk Bair, a hill that was held for just a few days with the loss of several hundred lives.
"You can imagine the conditions that they faced, and how terrible they would have been. But it's also that great pride in the men that protected one another. Fought for New Zealand, for what we believe in, and fought so gallantly alongside their Australian mates."
He says the significance of the place where so many lost their lives can never be underestimated.
"It's a place that's quite spiritual I think for New Zealanders. A place which will always have a lot of tears and a sense of helplessness, that their great uncle or great grandfather will have come here and never returned."
AUDIO: Military historian Chris Pugsley on the Gallipoli battlefields
While Gallipoli is known best for the heroism of the Anzac troops, three times as many British and Irish lost their lives.
The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry have met British relatives of veterans of the Gallipoli Campaign.
Speaking in one of the many cemeteries on the peninsula, Charles talked about the importance of remembering men who left families on the other side of the world.
"We must remember the heroism and humanity of those on both sides, who had to leave behind their families, to come here, and confront the horrors that they did, and in an appalling number of instances, never to see their loved ones again."
Prince Harry read a poem by British soldier Alan Herbert, who fought at Gallipoli and was sent home wounded.
30,000 British troops died in the battle.
Touring Gallipoli for the first time, New Zealand's Defence Force chief says armed conflict is futile, but unfortunately a reality.
General Tim Keating was standing on the hallowed ground, held briefly by the New Zealanders at Chunuk Bair.
"Any type of human conflict that goes to armed conflict is futile, but it's a reality unfortunately, that you need armed forces to rail against the evil that still exists around the world."
"We must build on these tragedies, to build a world without armed conflict."
Pilgrims at Gallipoli are snuggling up in their sleeping bags for a long cold wait for the Anzac Day dawn service.
More than 6000 Australians and New Zealanders are spending the night at North Beach, overlooking the Aegean Sea where troops sailed in 100 years ago.
The Governor-General says the qualities they displayed that day, and over a gruelling eight month campaign, are still revered.
Sir Jerry Mateparae says while the world has seen several generations of change since 1915, what hasn't changed are the qualities we prize - courage, compassion and comradeship.
He says these were shown by our troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and by our armed forces in subsequent conflicts.
Labour's Andrew Little is in Turkey for the centenary.
He believes what happened during the campaign led to New Zealand striking out to become more independent in its thinking, and its foreign policy.
"We proved actually that our military leadership was as good as, if not better, than some of the stuff we were subjected to."
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