Historic Graves and Monuments
Heritage Operations looks after historic graves and monuments in over 70 sites throughout New Zealand. A large number of these originate from the New Zealand Wars of 1840-1872 including the recently unveiled Katikara Memorial which marks the grave of more than 20 Maori warriors. Others were erected to Maori leaders favoured by the Crown such as the memorial at Papawai Pa, near Greytown, to Ngati Kahungunu leader Hamuera Tamahau Mahupuku.
The unit also cares for 20 national memorials, erected by the New Zealand government. Many of these commemorate former Prime Ministers such as Michael Joseph Savage, Richard Seddon and William Massey.
Others commemorate disasters such as the memorial at Karori Cemetery to those killed in the 1953 Tangiwai railway disaster or relate to twentieth century wars, such as the Atatuürk Memorial on Wellington's south coast, which commemorates Kemel Atatuürk, commander of the Turksih forces at Gallipoli in 1915. (See also Anzac Day).
For more information contact:
Heritage Operations Unit
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
PO Box 5364
Wellington
Telephone (04) 499-4229
Fax (04) 499-4490
Email: info@mch.govt.nz
