The departure of hundreds of enthusiastic young recruits, who marched off to do battle in the First World War a century ago, was recreated in Nelson on Saturday.
Participants donned authentic uniforms to re-enact the brave footsteps of Nelson's servicemen and women as they prepared to set sail to war.
An open-air ceremony, led by Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese and the Nelson RSA, aimed to recreate the messages behind the stirring speeches given a century ago by the mayor of the day, William Lock and other civic leaders across New Zealand.
The commemorative event, held on the wharf behind Guytons on Wakefield Quay, got underway at about 1pm.
Nelson City Councillor Ian Barker said Saturday's event was a way to understand the sense of honour, occasion and trepidation experienced by those young men 100 years ago.
