The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (A.N.Z.A.C) Day was marked in Samoa with a dawn service at the Town Clock early Sunday morning.

The Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and his Masiofo Her Highness Faamausili Leinafo Tuimalealiifano were joined by members of the diplomatic corps, senior caretaker Government officials as as well as Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party leader, Fiame Naomi Mataafa and party members including deputy leader, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt.

The New Zealand High Commission Charge d'Affaires, Desmond Tupangaia gave the A.N.Z.A.C. address and thanked the Head of State as well as dignitaries, families and friends of Samoa, Australia and New Zealand for attending the event.

He said this year marked the 106th year for the A.N.Z.A.C. day commemoration in Samoa, where everyone remembered a war which recorded more than 10,00 casualties.

"A.N.Z.A.C. day is also an occasion to remind ourselves of the human cost of conflicts, to reflect on the sacrifice that men and women right across the world, and the need to do all that we can to find peaceful solutions," said Mr Tupangaia. 

"I am reminded of the Maori proverb 'te oranga o nga rangatira he korerorero, korerorero, me te whakahitiwhiti korero', 'the sustenance of leaders in dialogue, conversation and communication."

"It is been customary on these occasions to focus on the experiences of New Zealand and Australian soldiers who were the first to go to the war. 

"But the A.N.Z.A.C. Day over the years has taken on a wider significance as an occasion to remember the service and sacrifice of New Zealand and Australian servicemen and all the theatres of conflict in which we have been involved."

Mr Tupangaia says that every individual has a different way of celebrating A.N.Z.A.C. Day but he still wanted to acknowledge the brave soldiers who fought a good fight.

"Each of us will have a sense of what the A.N.Z.A.C. tradition means to us individually, and today I also want to acknowledge the contributions of soldiers from the Pacific who are also part of our A.N.Z.A.C. tradition.

"Almost a month ago, New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern unveiled the Pacific Islands Memorial Court Te Reo Hotunui o te Moana nui a Kiwa which translates into the 'deep side of the Pacific'. 

"The Te Reo Hotunui o te Moana nui a Kiwa is symbolic of the contribution of our Pacific Islands in our aiga."

"Te Reo Hotunui o te Moana nui a Kiwa will join other memorials in acknowledging Australia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, and the United States at Pukeahu national war memorial park in Wellington Aotearoa New Zealand. We will remember them."

A one-minute silence was then observed to pay tribute to the men and women who have served and are still serving in New Zealand and Australia's defence forces, with Mr Tupangaia saying they will remember those who have died or suffered in conflicts, wars and peacekeeping operations.

"Since the first World War, New Zealand and Australia have strongly supported peaceful solutions to international disagreements. 

"Both countries were strong advocates of eliminations after the First World War and strongly advocates of the United Nations after the Second World War.

"New Zealand and Australia have contributed to peace-giving in the pacific and elsewhere and regularly we send out our forces for disaster relief efforts."

A poem was also recited by the Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Sara Moriarty as well as the President of the Samoa Returned Services Association and recently-elected Member, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio.

During the laying of the wreaths, representatives of the diplomatic corps, families, friends and the F.A.S.T. party leaders paid their respects and also laid wreaths. The national anthem of Samoa, New Zealand and Australia were also sung at the dawn service.

The wreaths at the dawn service in commemoration of this year's A.N.Z.A.C. Day were laid by the representatives of the following organisations: 

• Head of State - Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II
• Australia High Commission - Sara Moiarty 
• NZ High Commission - Charge d'Affaires Desmond Tupangaia
• Patron of Samoa Returned Services Association - Faamausili Moli Malietoa
• President of Samoa Returned Services Association - Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio
• British High Commission - His Excellency Mr David Ward
• United States Embassy - Charge d'Affaires Mr Jonathan Lee Yoo
• Australia Defence Force - Lieutenant Commander Steve Brown
• Australian Federal Police - Detective Superintendent Daniel Evans
• Samoa Police Commissioner - Fuiavailiili Egon Keil
• Honorary Consul of France - Vaimasenuu Zita Sefo-Martel
• Honorary Consul of Germany - Mrs Christa Szegedi 
• Honorary Consul of Switzerland - Ms Sylvie Salanoa
• Honorary Consul of Sweden - Su'a Hellene Wallwork
• Honorary Consul of Republic of Korea - Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt
• United Nations Resident Coordinator - Dr Simona Marinescu 
• Deputy Director SPREP - Easter Chu Shing
• FAST Party - Fiame Naomi Mataafa and Laauli Polataivao Fosi
• Families & friends that wishes to pay their respects