Is ANZAC day as big in New Zealand as it is in Australia?

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Dangerous

It is a big deal, there's a spotlight on remembering the wars and recognising the people who served. It was starting to get a bit less attention back in the late 80's/early 90's but since then it's profiles arisen with the grandchildren of the dead Vets taking pride and wearing their medals, etc...

But I don't think it's anywhere near as big as the deal that's made in Australia.
Australia is mentioned and recognised, as are all the Allies.
And there's no one waving big flags or saying how wonderful NZ is, how proud they are to be an NZlander or saying this nonsense of how Gallipoli defines NZ as a nation.

I think NZ it's the same as in the UK and every other nation except Australia in their remembrence day.

EDIT: Am I saying that? Yes I am.
Well, maybe it's not a case of the amount of a deal, but the sort of deal you make. I detect in many Aussies an attitude as though Australia suffered the war alone. And I'm not impressed with some of the glorifying in Aussie popular history nor the common believed falsehoods; such as the British sacrificing Aussies to save their own skins. As someone who's descended from people who also fought the war but for different nations it can annoy me.
And I think what's inappropriate is the nationalism. It's a tragedy we're remembering and the people we're honouring in a way were victims. Why the flag waving and nationalism? it's one thing to say you're proud of the fact people served and you're proud of you country for takng part (in the case of the second world war), but I think it's another thing to start saying how wonderful you think your country is.

Just my opinion. Hope no cans of worms were opened. :)

Whitecats

It's big in New Zealand too. Their has been large turn outs every year in each city every town getting up at dawn to remeber those who fought for their country and family.

Tainruadh

Hell yes! It's the one thing we all still agree on. I'm even planning on getting up early so I can go to a ceremony in the Asian city I live in on Saturday. In that sort of situation, NZ and Australia really do come together. Got to get up at 4am.

Murphy

Hell yes, it gets bigger each year. You see young kids wearing their grandfathers or great-grandfathers medals.

mareeclara

Very much so.....I am pretty sure there are increases in dawn services, and have been for the last decade. I think its always been special but I think that is getting more so in some aspects.

Jimmy

I think you have got your answer but here's my 2 cents. Yes its big in NZ more so now that ever as the veterans numbers have dropped away there family and friends cobbers,diggers,mates have another way of remembering them an what they did for their country and yes I will be there at the dawn parade/service honouring members of my family that have now passed away and when I have kids they will be there to so they don't forget.

As a kid I used to go to the RSA and Id sit an listen to the men an women telling me how stupid the wars were but if you asked them if they would do it again you never heard a NO, they did it for there country and for people like you and me and for that I have nothing but RESPECT.

iLOVEav

its huge! dawn services etc here are getting bigger each year.

i know this has nothing to do with the question but doesn't it infuriate you that the americans waltzed in at the end of the war, dropped a few bombs then claimed to have won the war? the never seem to consider gallipooli and passchendaele <-- can never spell that rite

sorry lol

KÅwhai

It's huge in New Zealand.

Bangkok Bill

Huge and getting bigger every year. I'll be at a dawn ceremony myself on the 25th.

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