UPDATED: 10.01AM The Prime Minister has released a message ahead of his attendance at the dawn service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.

“Today thousands of New Zealanders all across the country and around the world will attend services to commemorate the 100th ANZAC Day.

“On this day 100 years ago, the first ANZAC Day services were held in New Zealand to mark the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.

“Every year since, we pause to pay our respects to those service men and women who fought and lost their lives in World War One and Two as well as in other conflicts around the world since.

“We remember their incredible courage and bravery as well as their unity, which helped to forge the ANZAC bond and reputation that endures to this day.

“We wouldn’t be the country we are today without their sacrifice.

“We remember.”

The Governor General said it's a sacred ritual for New Zealanders, and Australians, to gather at dawn on Anzac Day.

Sir Jerry Mateparae has told people gathered at the National War Memorial in Wellington that those who've attended services this morning are testament to the significance of Anzac Day to 21st century New Zealanders.

He said we imagine the hardships and horrors of war suffered by our forebears, and we welcome the opportunity to show respect to them.

Sir Jerry said in doing so we commit to a better, safer world for our children and our children’s children.

The Governor General said we can be thankful several generations of New Zealanders have been spared the trauma of major conflict.

He said equally, we can be thankful that we are in a position to offer a haven for those who have not known such peace in their countries of birth.

Sir Jerry said there is still much to learn about New Zealand's ANZAC story: "Only recently, I learned about one group of New Zealanders whose story is not widely known - our Chinese ANZACs. A New Zealand-Chinese soldier - Private James George Paterson of Otahuhu was amongst the first fatalities at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. Paterson was an ANZAC.

"And recently, information has come to light which has completely changed our understanding of New Zealand’s contribution to the Gallipoli campaign. We now know that nearly twice as many New Zealanders fought there as was previously thought."