A Tauranga podiatrist is brushing up on her family history after securing a pass to the exclusive 100th anniversary commemorations of the Gallipoli landings in Turkey next year.

Anna Kendall with a photo of her great-grandfather sergeant William Motion, who fought in Gallipoli. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Avenue Podiatry owner Anna Kendall is one of 251 direct descendants of those who fought at Gallipoli through her great grandfather sergeant William Motion.

'I couldn't believe it; I actually had to read it [the email] three times to actually check I was successful, not unsuccessful. I just wasn't expecting to receive a pass; I just wanted to have applied,” says Anna.

'It is quite overwhelming obviously.”

A total of 9851 applicants were entered in the ballot, with 950 double passes, or 1900 places, available.

Of the 950 double passes, 251 were won by direct descendants, 149 by veterans, and 550 by members of the general public. From these, 35 passes were granted to Bay of Plenty residents.

For 37-year-old Anna, the decision to apply for the pass came through speaking to her patient Dick Frew – a returning veteran and Tauranga RSA president.

Originally, the pair decided to apply for the commemoration spot in the hope if one was successful the other would accompany them to Gallipoli. Instead, in an amazing coincidence, Dick has also been awarded a double pass – freeing up the two extra passes.

Having attended Anzac Day parades and services since a child, Anna says it will be great to be able to honour the efforts of her family by this time visiting Gallipoli, for the first time.

Despite being more than 12 months away, Anna is certain this is something she's going to cherish, and has meet with her grandparents to browse through family history and photos following the announcement.

'I was round at my grandparents last night and my grandfather [Reginald Motion] was showing me photos of my great grandfather William Motion on the battle field in Gallipoli, sitting in the trenches.

'It just looked terrific and it will be quite something to go back and see what he went through.”

Veterans' Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse says the 1915 ANZAC campaign helped shape New Zealand's identity with next year's centenary commemorations especially poignant and a time for New Zealanders both abroad and at home to reflect.

'The significance of Gallipoli to New Zealand is evident by the overwhelming interest in the ballot,” says Michael.