About PukeahuPukeahu National War Memorial Park opened in 2015 during the centenary period of the First World War. It includes New Zealand’s National War Memorial and memorials gifted by countries connected to New Zealand’s military history.The National War Memorial comprises the Carillon Tower (opened 1932), the Hall of Memories (opened 1964), and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior (2004). The National War Memorial is open to the public Saturday and Sunday 12pm – 4pm.Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage manages Pukeahu. Visiting Pukeahu Pukeahu in central Wellington is a public gathering place to remember New Zealand’s experience of war, conflict, and peacekeeping. Memorials and historic sites at Pukeahu Pukeahu includes memorials gifted by countries connected to New Zealand’s military history. Organising an event at Pukeahu Pukeahu National War Memorial Park is open to everyone. Pukeahu is suitable for public events and activities, and we've created information to help you organise your event. National War Memorial protocols The National War Memorial’s governance is administered by Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, through the National War Memorial Act 1992. History of PukeahuMāori historyMāori have had a long and continuous relationship with Pukeahu, using the hill and its surrounding landscape for gardens, pathways, and gathering food. Native forest once covered the area, with streams running past the hill and swamps and garden areas nearby.‘Pukeahu’ is an old name that likely means ‘raised hill’. It may refer to a sacred place used for rituals.Different iwi, including Ngāi Tara and later Te Āti Awa, lived in and used the wider area, developing gardens and recognising Pukeahu as part of an interconnected landscape of significant peaks and places.European historyWhen Europeans arrived in the 1840s, they renamed Pukeahu as Mount Cook after James Cook and began reshaping the hill. Early settlers flattened and lowered the hill by around 25–30 metres through construction work. British and then New Zealand military forces used Mount Cook as a base until the 1930s. It was also home to police barracks and a prison, and later the National War Memorial (1932) and National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum (1936).History of Pukeahu (NZ History)National Historic LandmarkIn 2025 the National War Memorial became a National Historic Landmark, recognising its exceptional significance to New Zealand.National Historic Landmarks (Heritage New Zealand) Te Maharatanga Pakanga o te Motu National War Memorial (Heritage New Zealand) Image Mark Tantrum National War Memorial. How is Pukeahu used?Pukeahu is a public space used by residents and visitors to Wellington. It hosts commemorative ceremonies, international dignitaries, and community events.Ceremonies at PukeahuThese commemorations take place every year: Anzac Day – 25 AprilKorean War commemoration – 25 JuneVietnam Veterans’ Day – 18 AugustMerchant Navy Day – 3 SeptemberMalaya/Malaysia/Borneo commemoration – 16 SeptemberArmistice Day – 11 November Image Mark Tantrum The public lay poppies on the Tomb on the Unknown Warrior following the Dawn Ceremony on Anzac Day 2024. Social media channelsPukeahu National War Memorial Park (Facebook)Pukeahu National War Memorial Park (Instagram)
Visiting Pukeahu Pukeahu in central Wellington is a public gathering place to remember New Zealand’s experience of war, conflict, and peacekeeping.
Memorials and historic sites at Pukeahu Pukeahu includes memorials gifted by countries connected to New Zealand’s military history.
Organising an event at Pukeahu Pukeahu National War Memorial Park is open to everyone. Pukeahu is suitable for public events and activities, and we've created information to help you organise your event.
National War Memorial protocols The National War Memorial’s governance is administered by Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, through the National War Memorial Act 1992.