- Above: View of the National War Memorial from the Memorial Park
Image courtesy of Jason Mann
- Above: View of the Memorial Park from the National War Memorial
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
- Above: Minister Finlayson speaking at the Blessing Ceremony
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
- Above: Army Chaplain Col. Donald Parker at the Blessing Ceremony
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
- Above: Minister Finlayson at the Blessing Ceremony
Image courtesy of Jason Mann
- Above: Pupils from the nearby Mt Cook Primary School
Image courtesy of Jason Mann
- Above: RNZRSA National President Don McIver and NWM Advisory Council Chair David Ledson
Image courtesy of Jason Mann
- Above: Guests gathered at the blessing ceremony
Image courtesy of Jason Mann
- Above: Dan Kelly with grandchildren Cailtin and Conal. Dan was the same age as Conal when he attended the opening of the NWM
Image courtesy of Jason Mann
When the National War Memorial was first built in 1932 it commanded a dominant position overlooking the city and would have been highly visible from most areas of the capital. At that time there was a proposal to create a boulevard to link the memorial to Courtenay Place. This never eventuated and, while still highly visible, the memorial has become isolated in a semi-industrial zone as the city has grown up around it.
In 2005, the Ministry acquired land on Buckle Street, across the road from the National War Memorial, to create a New Zealand Memorial Park. The park will join the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior as a major focal point for New Zealanders to commemorate sacrifice during time of war. This will not only improve the setting of the National War Memorial but would strengthen the heritage value of the entire area. The park will not be purely an open space as the design will allow for the construction of memorials, particularly from countries with which New Zealand has a close relationship.
In April 2011, the Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson marked the completion of the first phase of development on the new National War Memorial Park in Wellington. Developed during the past 18 months, phase one of the park sits across the road from the National War Memorial on Buckle St. The former commercial area has been transformed into a dedicated public space to remember and think of those affected by war.
The park will help ease on significant days of remembrance, such as ANZAC day, when the immediate space around the National War Memorial is at full capacity.
The Australian Government has commenced preparations for an Australian Memorial within the planned Memorial Park in Wellington, following agreement between Prime Minister Key and Prime Minister Gillard in 2011. The memorial, to be located within the Memorial Park in Wellington, follows from the establishment of the New Zealand Memorial, sited on Anzac Parade in Canberra.
The Memorial will honour the shared military heritage of both our nations, and also acknowledge the many other dimensions of the relationship beyond the military endeavour.
It will complement the objectives and design of the Memorial Park ‘Master Plan’ being developed by the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
The Office of Australian War Graves of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs has sought tenders for Project Management Services for the construction of the Memorial. It will be some time before concepts and potential designs are developed.
The project is planned to be completed in time for the Centenary of Anzac in 2015.
