SHARED SACRIFICE: An artist’s impression of how the London Memorial at Hyde Park Corner might be used for an ANZAC Day service.

A touch of Kiwi in Hyde Park

Site works have started at London’s Hyde Park Corner for the construction of the long-awaited memorial commemorating the very special relationship, forged in times of war, between New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

It will serve as a focus of remembrance of the shared sacrifice endured during two world wars and the many other military conflicts from the Boer War in South Africa at the turn of last century, to the present day.

This unique bond was initiated when New Zealand answered the United Kingdom’s calls for troops to serve in several armed conflicts, especially the World Wars of 1914-18 and 1939-45. During both those major conflicts, here in New Zealand, the economy and industry became totally geared into the war efforts and shipments of our agricultural products – butter, cheese, wool – were vital to the United Kingdom’s well-being and survival.

Diagonally across Hyde Park from the Australian Memorial dedicated in 2003 and adjacent to the recently refurbished Wellington Arch, the memorial, called ‘Southern Stand’, consists of 16 bronze sculptures set out in formation across a grassy slope. Ten of the bronzes form an angled grid with a ‘leader’ which contains the dedication text and is the site for laying official wreaths. Each standard is formed from two intersecting plates of bronze and, when seen from above and afar, the sculptures appear like a series of crosses hanging in the air.

The other six standards are positioned to form the shape of the Southern Cross. At night their tops will be illuminated so that the crosses look like the southern stars indicating the compass direction south - pointing the way home for wandering Kiwis.

Close up, the surface of the standards is textured with patterns, words, raised images, cut-out shapes and three-dimensional models in bronze. These details evoke the themes of the memorial – New Zealand national identity, the long relationship with Britain and our shared wars.

Photo by Becky Masters
RSA poppies surround a quote from First World War soldier Barney Lucas describing poppies near the front in Palestine.

On one standard, RSA poppies surround a quote from First World War soldier Barney Lucas describing poppies near the front in Palestine.

Twelve design teams, out of 68 expressions of interest, were invited to submit designs to a selection panel appointed by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Budgeted at $3 million, the successful design is a collaboration between Dibble Art Co and Athfield Architects led by sculptor Paul Dibble and architect John Hardwick-Smith.

“Through the words and images, any New Zealander visiting the memorial will recognise home, and the British people may learn something of the relationship between our two countries,” says Paul Dibble.

Selection panel member, RNZRSA’s National President John Campbell says the design concept is an outstanding example New Zealand creativity.

The memorial will be unveiled by the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Helen Clark at a dedication ceremony on Armistice Day, 11 November 2006. Planned to take a little over an hour, the ceremony will be attended by approximately 500 invited guests – including 32 New Zealand war veterans – and up to 3000 members of the public.

Related link

London Memorial website
www.londonmemorial.govt.nz