Eastern Bay of Plenty residents this morning marked 100 years since the beginning of World War 1 with a remembrance ceremony at Mitchell Park in Whakatane.

Whakatane District Mayor Tony Bonne says for him personally the world wars stand out for the fact so many people died.

'The Last Post' was played and the ‘Ode' read at a remembrance ceremony at Whakatane's Mitchell Park this morning to commerorate 100 years since World War 1 began.

'When you really actually look at that aspect, and when I converted the 18,000 that died to 80,000-odd today, it really puts it into perspective,” says Tony.

Today's commemorations of the centenary of the Great War have also played out in Tauranga, with the New Zealand flag is flying at half-mast on the Elizabeth St flagpole.

Tonight at Edgewater Fan on The Strand a torchlight silent vigil will be held to mark the 100 years since the war which broke out in 1914.

NZ Ministry of Culture and Heritage reports that 10 per cent of NZ's then one million population served in WW1, of which more than 18,000 died and more than 40,000 were injured.

'It [WW1] created a lot of national identity. So many people were killed or wounded so it's important to remember it to learn from it.”

In Wellington this morning a number of activities took place, including a gun salute.

The original proclamation of war was read from the steps of Parliament buildings and members of the New Zealand Defence Force, dressed in First World War replica uniforms, lowered the flags on Parliament forecourt, with the support of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band.

The Last Post was played and the ‘Ode' read. At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests were invited to place the last 10 crosses on the Field of Remembrance Trust's field of 100 white crosses on the Parliamentary lawn.

Tony says the biggest commemorations to mark 100 years since the Great War began, will be Anzac Day next year.

'We here at [Whakatane District] council are working with the RSA to make it really special, so I'm pretty sure it will be the biggest Anzac Day the country has ever seen.