NZ PM will not attend Anzac dawn service

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has come under fire for not planning to attend an Anzac Day dawn service on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for Clark confirmed the New Zealand PM would not be attending a dawn service, but would attend several other Anzac Day events.

"She hasn't done a dawn service for years. She did one in Gallipoli in 2005, but she doesn't do dawn services for Maori events either," she said.

NZ deputy opposition leader Bill English attacked Clark's decision.

"If the prime minister is in the country, and can practically do it, she should be at an Anzac service. Pretty much all members of parliament will be," English said.

"I think New Zealanders would be appalled that she didn't go just because she couldn't get out of bed.

"I think it is a hangover from her war protest days."

Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association (RSA) president John Campbell said he would prefer Clark to attend a dawn service.

"I think it would be fair to say the RSA would like to see the Prime Minister at a dawn service," Campbell said.

"But we wouldn't say she doesn't show proper respect to veterans. She certainly does," he added.

Australia's Returned and Services League (RSL) National president Bill Crews said he would be surprised if an Australian prime minister or governor-general failed to attend a dawn service.

"It is special, it is important. We would certainly like to see them there and expect to see them there," Crews said.