A World War 1 soldier was 'present” at the Katikati RSA dawn parade this morning for the first time, along with close to 500 members of the public, returned service men and women and representatives of the armed forces.

The World War I soldier was Corporal JW Cahill, depicted in full 1918 infantry uniform in a new painting in Katikati's memorial square where the dawn service was held.

The crowd gathers outside the Katikati War Memorial Hall in the pre-dawn light in readiness for this morning's Anzac Day service. Photos: Elaine Fisher.

Alongside the painting is the huge river boulder bearing a plaque with a poem by former Katikati resident and well-known New Zealand war poet Mike Subritzsky.

Katikati's main street, closed to the through traffic, was eerily quiet as people gathered at the Memorial Hall in the town's centre where at 6am the dawn service began.

Peter Mackay, Katikati RSA president, began the service by acknowledging all those who had attended and making special mention of the battle of Long Tan in August 18, 1966, which was the last time Australian and New Zealand troops were together in active conflict.

'It is not well known that the Australians lost 18 men and 31 wounded in the battle. The New Zealand Royal Artillery 161 Battalion supported the Australian D Company.

'When the battle was finally won the Australians discovered they had been facing a force 10 times their size.”

Following prayers led by Rev Brendan Gibbs, and the laying of wreaths, author Mike Subritzsky read aloud his poem commemorating war dead and Anzac Day commemorations.

Wreath laying at the Katikati Anzac Day Dawn Service.

Katikati Primary School children were among those to lay wreaths at the Katikati Anzac Day Dawn Service.

Representatives of Katikati College lay a wreath at the Katikati Anzac Day Dawn Service.

Former Katikati resident and well-known New Zealand war poet Mike Subritzsky reads his poem which engraved on a plaque in memorial square during this morning's Katikati Anzac Day Dawn Service.

Rev Brendan Gibbs leads prayers at the Katikati Anzac Day Dawn Service.

The painting of Corporal JW Cahill, reproduced from the original by George Butler by Katikati artist Steve Graveson drew a lot of attention at the end of this morning's Katikati Anzac Day Dawn Service.