Tinui holds special Anzac Day service

Tinui holds special Anzac Day service

People from around the world descended on a tiny farming village in Wairarapa today, for a very special Anzac Day service.

One-hundred years ago today, Tinui held the first ever Anzac Day service, to remember its seven young men killed in Gallipoli.

By the end of World War I, 36 had died, and a further 12 in World War II.

Local schoolchildren read their names today and one that came up was Morgan B A -- Bernard Morgan, young bugler Linda Morgan's great-uncle.

"It was emotional but I tried to just focus on the music and do it," she says.

Vicar Basil Ashcroft led the 1916 service and his great-grandson Aaron Mikkelson spoke today

"It was quite humbling in a way. Especially to have the whole Ashcroft family here, it was quite special."

Nearly a hundred Ashcroft family members were at the service -- some even travelled from the UK.

People have travelled from far and wide since regular services started in 1996.

Since then it has grown in popularity -- 450 in 2009, 2000 last year and estimated about 3000 today

After that 1916 service, Reverend Ashcroft led 40 locals up Tinui Taipo carrying parts of a cross.

People retraced their steps to the summit today and for the first time in 100 years, 'The Last Post' was played under New Zealand's first Anzac memorial.

"I was quite honoured because it's a very special thing to be doing," Linda says.

It was in front of a very proud dad, whose uncle died in World War II.

With Tinui's centenary done and dusted, the popularity of Anzac Day services here isn't likely to wane, and future services in the tiny village are no doubt in good hands.

Newshub.