26 May 2004 Media Statement

Budget 2004

National Memorial Park to honour war dead

Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Helen Clark today announced plans to establish a National Memorial Park to honour those who have served New Zealand in war.

The proposed park is one of three memorial projects for which the government has allocated $12.6 million over the next three years.

The funding will build the New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park in London, help to upgrade facilities at Gallipoli for next year’s 90th anniversary of the landings, and create a National Memorial Park in Wellington.

Helen Clark said the proposed National Memorial Park will be sited at the National War Memorial in Buckle St, Wellington.

“The Ministry of Culture and Heritage are now looking at acquiring land opposite the existing National War Memorial currently held by Transit New Zealand. A park would further enhance the area which is already being redeveloped with the building of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. It will provide a more appropriate setting for New Zealand’s memorial to those New Zealanders who gave their lives in times of war.”

Helen Clark said the new funding for the memorials recognises the recent resurgence of interest in remembering and commemorating those who served New Zealand.

“There is now more recognition of the fact that significant aspects of our heritage and identity were forged in difficult times of conflict.

“This is illustrated by the growing numbers of people who attend ANZAC Day services in New Zealand, and particularly those go to the great lengths involved in travelling to Gallipoli for Anzac Day.

“On a local level this growing interest has sparked the restoration of war memorials in cities and towns around New Zealand and on an international level, it facilitated the proposal to build a New Zealand Memorial in Canberra and a dedicated commemorative site at Gallipoli,” Helen Clark said.

Background: Memorial Projects

Funding of $12.6 million has been provided over the next three years for new memorial projects.

$ million (GST exclusive) 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08
London Memorial Operating 0.055 0.200
Capital 1.500 1.500
Gallipoli Walking Track Operating 0.050
Capital 0.750
National Memorial Park Operating
Capital 6.000 2.500
Total 8.355 1.700 2.500

New Zealand Memorial in London:
$3 million over the next two years for the construction of a New Zealand Memorial in London. A site has been made available at Hyde Park Corner. The memorial will be able to be completed towards the end of 2005 dependent on English Heritage obtaining funding to implement a landscape plan for the site as a whole.

Memorial Projects to Commemorate the 90th anniversary of ANZAC Day:
$750,000 for memorial projects to commemorate the 90th anniversary of ANZAC Day, 25 April 2005. Projects under consideration include a walking track between ANZAC Cove and Chunuk Bair, a guide to the battlefield, cemeteries and memorials of Gallipoli, and a refurbishment of the Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial.

National Memorial Park:

$6 million for the acquisition of land to create a National Memorial Park in Wellington. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage will be investigating the feasibility of acquiring land opposite the National War Memorial on Buckle Street, currently held by Transit New Zealand, but which will not be required for the Inner City Bypass. $2.5 million in 2006/07 for the costs of landscaping to create the memorial park after the current leases have expired.

ENDS

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