The Prime Minister has announced that a National War Memorial Park is to be created in Wellington as the Government’s key project to acknowledge the Centenary of the First World War, which will be completed in time to be the centrepiece of Anzac Day commemorations in 2015.

An updated February 2013 concept plan for the National War Memorial Park.  

It will be achieved by undergrounding State Highway One between Tasman/ Tory and Taranaki Streets to create a Memorial Precinct.  This will be made up of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, the National War Memorial, the Hall of Memories and the National Carillion but is currently divided by State Highway 1.

The Memorial Park will commemorate more than 300,000 New Zealanders who have served their country and the 30,000 who have died.

WW100, the centenary of New Zealand's participation in the First World War, will be marked over several years through a variety of commemorative projects and activities.

Following agreement between Prime Minister Key and Prime Minister Gillard in 2011, an Australian Memorial honouring the shared military heritage of our nations will be added.  Read a related February 2013 media release about the design for the Australian Memorial.  A New Zealand Memorial is already sited on Anzac Parade in Canberra.  Other countries with a shared military heritage may follow.

When the National War Memorial was first built in 1932 it commanded a dominant position overlooking the city and was easily 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 but this did not eventuate.

The Ministry acquired land on Buckle Street, across the road from the National War Memorial in 2005.  In April 2011, the Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson marked the completion of this first phase of the development which was a dedicated public space to remember those affected by war.

Read about the current diversion routes for accessing Buckle Street. Drive through access using 'old' Buckle Street is currently unavailable until July 2013 (however access to the National War Memorial is permitted).

Follow on us on facebook to keep informed about the activities taking place around the National War Memorial and Buckle Street.

Related information

Australian Memorial design for National War Memorial Park welcomed (09 February 2013)

National War Memorial Park development on track (24 January 2013)

National War Memorial Park construction begins (29 October 2012)

National War Memorial Park (Pukeahu) Empowering Bill passed (27 September 2012)

National War Memorial Park a fitting tribute  (07 August 2012)

War Memorial Park for 100th anniversary of Gallipoli (07 August 2012)