The thousands of Kiwis who miss out on a spot at the centenary Anzac Day commemorations in Turkey will instead be able to watch the New Zealand service live on television.
Maori Television has received $200,000 funding from New Zealand On Air to provide live coverage of the 2015 commemorative service at Chunuk Bair.
It will mark 100 years since the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzacs) landed on the shores of Gallipoli during World War I.
The capture of Chunuk Bair was one of New Zealand’s key events during the campaign.
Every year after the dawn service at Anzac Cove a special service has been held there to commemorate the 2721 New Zealanders killed.
Maori Television has provided all-day Anzac Day coverage since 2006 and was recognised as the home of Anzac Day broadcasts, producer Colin McRae said.
The funding also enables Maori Television to broadcast this year’s service at Chunuk Bair as a dress rehearsal for the centenary event.
A small crew would be sent to Turkey and a Turkish production company would be contracted to provide technical equipment and expertise, McRae said.
Two presenters would be sent to cover the 2015 commemorations.
The coverage is likely to be well received by those who are unsuccessful in the Gallipoli 2015 ballot.
The Turkish Government capped the number able to attend the commemorations at 10,500.
Just 2000 attendance passes are available to New Zealanders, which include tickets to the Chunuk Bair service.
The ballot opened on November 15 and will close on January 31.
Veterans Affairs New Zealand confirmed as of this morning there had been 6226 applications.
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