Christchurch's main Anzac Day service to go ahead with increased security

April 10, 2019
Military medals collected by an Anzac veteran.

Christchurch's Anzac Day Dawn Service will go ahead with an increased security presence, the RSA says, despite many other services around the country being cancelled.

Christchurch City Council (CCC) confirmed today in a release that the service will take place in Cranmer Square.

Several smaller services are also planned for throughout the Christchurch area, led by the Returned Servicemen Association (RSA).

These will include another ceremony held at 10am at the Transitional Cathedral in Latimer Square.

However, a planned CCC-organised event in Sydenham has been cancelled following police requests to cancel or consolidate services in order to make security arrangements feasible.

The RSA and local authorities around the country have been considering whether or not to hold Anzac Day services this year, with many holding security fears in the wake of the March 15 attack.

Auckland RSA slashed the number of services being held from 90 to just 26 this year so that police are able to attend them all - this led to RSA president Graham Gibson being abused by some members of the public.

Graham Gibson says he’s not bothered by the abuse, he just wants to make sure everyone is safe.

I've taken threats and all that, but at the end of the day the presidents and myself are happy. Hand over heart, we're happy," he told 1 NEWS.

"It was a hard decision, but it was the right decision. We want our young ones to be safe."

People planning to attend the dawn service in Christchurch are asked to avoid bringing bags if possible, as these will be searched and may cause delays.

People can contact their local RSA for information on where the closest service to them will be.

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