New Zealand Memorial, Canberra facts for kids
The New Zealand Memorial in Canberra, Australia, is a special place. It celebrates the strong friendship between New Zealand and Australia. You can find it in Canberra, Australia's capital city. It stands where Anzac Parade meets Constitution Avenue. These are two important streets in Canberra.
The memorial was officially opened on April 24, 2001. This was just before Anzac Day, a very important day for both countries. The prime ministers of both New Zealand and Australia were there for the opening.
The Memorial's Special Design
The New Zealand Memorial was designed by artist Kingsley Baird and architects from Studio of Pacific Architecture. Both are from Wellington, New Zealand. The memorial has two special parts called kete. These look like the handles of a basket. One kete is on each side of Anzac Parade, about 100 meters apart.
The idea of a basket carried by two people shows how New Zealand and Australia work together. They share efforts to reach common goals. This includes working together in times of peace and war. It also honors the brave service men and women who fought side-by-side in other countries.
Maori language: Mau tena kiwa o te kete. maku tenei
English language: Each of us at a handle of the basket
The kete handles stand on special paving patterns. These patterns look like the weave of a basket. They represent how the lands, people, and cultures of both nations are connected. Daisy Nadjungdanga from Arnhem Land in Australia designed the paving under the western handle. Toi Te Rito Maihi and Allen Wihongi from Northland, New Zealand, designed the paving under the eastern handle. The paving is made from stone found in Canterbury, Coromandel, and Golden Bay.
Soil from Historic Battlefields
In the middle of the paving on each side, there is soil buried from Gallipoli. This place is very important because it's where the ANZAC tradition began. Soldiers from Australia and New Zealand fought together there in 1915.
On February 26, 2001, a special ceremony took place. Soil from Chunuk Bair was buried in a rimu wood box on the New Zealand side. On the Australian side, soil from Lone Pine was buried in a box made from Australian jarrah wood. These are both famous battle sites from Gallipoli.
The names of many campaigns are written on the paving. These are places where New Zealanders and Australians have fought together.
A Special Poem
A poem by Jenny Bornholdt is carved into a bronze 'boulder' under the arch on each side of the memorial. It talks about the connection between the two countries.
This sea we cross over
and over. Tides turning on
gold and sheep. On rain. On sand.
On earth the fallen lie
beneath. On geography. On
women standing. Matilda
waltzing. On people of
gardens and movement.
On trade and union.
This sea a bridge
of faith. This sea we are
contained and moved by.
