The New Zealand Defence force (NZDF) has returned to Gallipoli for the first time since 2019 and is preparing itself for a special Anzac Day with New Zealand leading the ceremony.
The NZDF today stood where the Maori contingent slept in 1915, bringing the ANZAC spirit to Gallipoli once more with haka and waiata.
COVID-19 has stolen the Anzac Day show at Gallipoli for two years running and now finally commemorations are returning to the peninsula.
"I do want to acknowledge the Turkish officials who have looked after our sons and their lands and have allowed us to come back and commemorate the ultimate sacrifice here," said Veterans Minister Meka Whaitiri.
For Whaitiri it's a first-time experience and a powerful one, and she's not alone.
"This is a first time for myself," one NZDF personal said.
"Emotional kind of trip for me," another said.
"Words can't describe how special this place is," another added.
But the battle with COVID-19 is not completely over and the small Kiwi contingent has not taken any chances.
"As a bugler, I have another bugler who is currently down the hill, and we had another one [on] stand by back home just in case, cause you can't have a ceremony without an alarm post," said NZDF bugler Raynor Martin.
The traditional sounds, scenes and ceremonies have been practised, perfected and practised again, with the care and attention deserving of the thousands of New Zealanders who were killed here.
"These were young men who lost their lives before they could live them and so it's up to us to come and honour them," said New Zealand government commemorations lead John McLeod.
New Zealand troops fought at Gallipoli for eight months and by the time the campaign had ended more than 130,000 on all sides had died, including 2779 Kiwis.
"Of course, you can see the apparent parallels between the terrible fighting that took place here and the terrible fighting that's going on today," NZDF historian Matthew Buck told Newshub.
It's not lost on anyone at Gallipoli this weekend that while Anzac Day honours the sacrifice of soldiers 107 years ago, right now that same tragic loss of life continues just north of Gallipoli in Ukraine.
"That's why it is so important that we maintain a New Zealand Defence Force that is prepared and ready and is able to be contributing when our Government determines it appropriate," NZDF Army Chief Major General John Boswell said.
