New Zealand has been allocated 2000 passes for the centenary Anzac Day commemorative services to be held at Gallipoli in 2015.Veteran's Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse says the Turkish government has recently reviewed the Anzac commemorative site and formally advised that the maximum capacity is 10,500 people.
"Demand for places at the 2015 Gallipoli commemorations is expected to significantly exceed the site capacity. That is why both Australia and New Zealand have agreed to ballot attendance passes," Mr Woodhouse said.
Of the 10,500 attendance passes, Australia will receive 8000, New Zealand 2000, with the remaining 500 reserved for those from Turkey and for VIPs representing New Zealand, Australia and other countries involved in the conflict.
"This allocation ratio is based on the relative number of casualties suffered by New Zealand and Australia during the Gallipoli campaign in 1915," Mr Woodhouse said.
Late last year the New Zealand and Australian governments conducted public consultation over balloting options for attendance at the 2015 commemorations.
Final decisions regarding balloting arrangements will be announced in the coming weeks, Mr Woodhouse says.
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