National War Memorial

• 1931
• Wellington Memorial Carillon Tower 00056:119:B10786
• 2004
• Tomb of the Unknown Warrior 00078:1139:117186
• 2004
• Building upgrade with new draining and water services 00078:1502:115795
• 2007
• Replace existing mezzanine gallery floor in foyer to strengthen structure and install historic pipe organ 00078:2963:158465
• 2012
• Access stair and platform upgrades within the Bell Tower and some seismic strengthening SR 246963
• 2013
• Construction of the National War Memorial Park

• 1931
• Crown

Not assessed

The National War Memorial and Carillon is New Zealand’s foremost symbolic and commemorative building. It consists, principally, of a campanile (bell tower), and a base below which holds the Hall of Memories, a shrine of remembrance commemorating the sacrifices of war. Although the Hall was completed almost 30 years after the Carillon, the two are similar in design terms.

The Carillon is essentially an Art Deco design, with a Classical emphasis at the lower levels. It was designed as a sister to the Peace Tower Carillon in the Ottawa Parliament Buildings, Canada. It houses 65 bells and rises to a height of 50.6 metres. A lion-headed fountain carved by R.O. Gross forms part of a grand staircase which leads to the campanile on the north-facing slope of Mt Cook.

The campanile itself consists of a marble base and a slightly tapering tower, with four almost identical facades of grey marble and buff-coloured cement plaster. Recessed precast concrete grills, three to each facade, allow music from the bells to pass through the upper tower. The abstract, zigzag pattern of these trellises becomes increasingly intricate as the tower rises and appears to accentuate the height of the structure. The capitals of the campanile are formed of five semi-circular copper louvres at each of the four chamfered corners, above which a dentilled pavilion roof is topped with the ‘lamp of remembrance.’

The Hall of Memories is approached through an octagonal vestibule in the base of the carillon tower. On the east and west walls, the various battlefields of the two world wars are inscribed on panels of Hanmer marble. The hall itself is approached through bronze entry gates and has, as a focal point, a statuary group in bronze on a white pedestal in the apse at the south end. Six recesses on either side of the hall have been designed as small chapels to commemorate the different arms of the forces in which New Zealanders served.

At the time the carillon was built it was the most prominent landmark in the city. It has lost some of this prominence but still makes a distinct contribution to the character of the city, particularly when viewed from the surrounding hills.

Plans for the War Memorial carillon tower, 30 March 1931, 00056:119:B10786, Wellington City Archives.

Concrete

Hanmer Marble

Mount Summers limestone

Canaan Marble

The War Memorial and Carillon is located on the northern slopes of Mount Cook, Wellington and over looks Buckle Street. From Buckle Street a series of steps lead up to the memorial while two access roads from Buckle Street loop around to the back of the memorial. Behind the memorial, stands the former National Museum and Art Gallery which is now part of Massey University. On both its western and eastern sides the memorial is surrounded by trees. These separate it from the former Mount Cook police barracks to the east and the grounds of the former Defence depot building to the west. Because of its height and its position on the slopes of Mount Cook, the tower of the memorial is visible from many parts of Wellington.

• Architectural

  Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

  The National War Memorial is New Zealand’s foremost symbolic and commemorative building and has high aesthetic value for the high-quality of its design, workmanship and materials.

• Group

  Is the item part of a group of buildings, structures, or sites that taken together have coherence because of their age, history, style, scale, materials, or use?

  The structure was built in conjunction with the former National Museum and Art Gallery (1932-36). Together the two structures lie on a formal axis that was originally planned to extend into a tree lined boulevard to Courtenay Place.

• Townscape

  Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

  The building is a significant landmark that is sited on the northern slopes of Mount Cook (Puke Ahu) and is visible from many parts of the city and the hills around.

• Association

  Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

  The structure is associated with the New Zealand Defence Force and the soldiers who died while serving in the First World War.

• Association

  Is the item associated with an important historic event, theme, pattern, phase, or activity?

  The structure is associated with the First World War and successive wars in which the New Zealand armed forces have participated. It has been the focus of the nation’s remembrance and the location of the main Anzac Day Ceremonies since its completion in 1932.

• Archaeological

  Does the item have archaeological value for its ability to provide scientific information about past human activity?

  There was pre-1900 human activity on this site.

• Identity Sense Of Place Continuity

  Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

  The structure is the site of New Zealand’s Anzac Day dawn service and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Therefore it is a place of national identity.

• Public Esteem

  Is the item held in high public esteem?

  The structure is held in high public esteem.

• Sentiment Connection

  Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

  The building is the national memorial to those New Zealanders who died while serving in the armed forces, the structure has sentimental value to people on a national level.

• Symbolic Commemorative Traditional Spiritual

  Does the item have symbolic, commemorative, traditional, spiritual or other cultural value for the community who has used and continues to use it?

  The National War Memorial is New Zealand’s foremost symbolic and commemorative building, a place of pilgrimage and ceremony, and of very high social value to the country. The structure has symbolic and commemorative value to members of the New Zealand Defence Force and the families of those who lost members while serving in overseas conflicts.

• Authentic

  Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

  The structure has retained a significant amount of its original fabric and therefore it has authenticity.

• Rare

  Is the item rare, unique, unusual, seminal, influential, or outstanding?

  The building is the only National War Memorial for New Zealand.

• Importance

  Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

  The building has national significance as the national memorial to those New Zealanders who died while serving in the armed forces, and is the focus for the country’s remembrance services and for the Anzac Day commemorations. It also has some significance on an international level as it was built as a ‘sister’ to the Peace Tower Carillon in the Ottawa Parliament Buildings.

Not assessed

• Glue, W.A. National War Memorial. Wellington: Department of Internal Affairs Historical Publications Branch, 1986.
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Professional Biographies. ‘Gummer and Ford.’ Accessed 25 September 2012.
• Wellington City Council. “National War Memorial and Carillon.” Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. Wellington City Council, 2001. BUCK1.
• Editor, Ministry for Culture and Heritage website. ‘Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.’ Accessed 22 August 2012.
• Archives: ‘7 Buckle Street, Specifications and plans for the erection of Carillon.’ 30 March 1931. 00056:119:B10786. Wellington City Archives.

• Inventory Report
• 1930 specifications and plans

Not available