New Zealand War Memorial, London facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New Zealand War Memorial |
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| United Kingdom | |
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| For New Zealand's military personnel who died during the First and Second World Wars | |
| Unveiled | 11 November 2006 |
| Location |
Hyde Park Corner, London
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| Designed by |
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The New Zealand War Memorial in London is a special place. It remembers the brave soldiers from New Zealand who died in the First and Second World Wars. This important memorial was officially opened in 2006.
It is also known as "Southern Stand." A New Zealand architect named John Hardwick-Smith and a sculptor named Paul Dibble designed it. You can find this memorial in London, near Hyde Park Corner. It's close to other famous landmarks like the Wellington Arch.
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Why This Memorial Was Built
This memorial was created to show the strong connection between New Zealand and the United Kingdom. It also honors all the lives lost by both countries during the two World Wars.
Paul Dibble, one of the designers, explained his idea. He wanted people to walk right through the memorial. This way, visitors could stop and explore the sculptures. He hoped New Zealanders would feel a sense of home there. He also wanted British people to learn about the bond between the two nations.
New Zealand's Role in the Wars
Thousands of soldiers from New Zealand fought alongside the British Army. They served in places like South Africa during the Boer War. They also fought at Gallipoli and on the Western Front in the First World War.
In the Second World War, many New Zealanders served in England, the Middle East, and Italy. Some also joined the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy. Famous ships like HMS New Zealand and HMS Achilles had New Zealand connections. Important wartime leaders like Bernard Freyberg and Keith Park also came from New Zealand.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The memorial has 16 bronze "standards" or tall sculptures. They are placed on a grassy hill at Hyde Park Corner. Each standard is shaped like a cross and weighs about 700 kilograms (about 1,500 pounds).
These standards were made in New Zealand. They stand on concrete bases with dark slate around them. The dark surfaces of the standards have many symbols of New Zealand. You can see fern shapes, a manaia figure, and New Zealand plants and animals. There are also emblems of the New Zealand armed forces.
Special Design Features
The standards lean out from the ground at an angle. This angle can remind you of a warrior doing a haka dance. It might also look like a cricket bat or a soldier's gun. The tops of the standards are cut diagonally. From far away, they look like cross-shaped grave markers.
Nine of the standards are set in a neat grid pattern. One tenth standard stands out as a leader. The other six standards are placed separately. They form a pattern similar to the Southern Cross constellation, which is seen in the Southern Hemisphere. These six standards have LED lights that can glow.
The way the standards are arranged looks like a group of soldiers marching. It can also remind you of Māori pouwhenua markers or ancient Celtic standing stones.
How the Memorial Was Created
The idea for a New Zealand memorial in London came up in 2003. In 2004, many design teams shared their ideas. An expert group from New Zealand chose the final design.
The design was a team effort. New Zealand companies Dibble Art Co and Athfield Architects worked together. Paul Dibble and John Hardwick-Smith led the project. The cost to design and build the memorial was about NZ$3 million.
The Unveiling Ceremony
The New Zealand War Memorial was officially opened on 11 November 2006. This day is known as Armistice Day, which marks the end of World War I. Queen Elizabeth II, who was also the Queen of New Zealand, unveiled the memorial.
Many important people attended the ceremony. These included Helen Clark, who was the Prime Minister of New Zealand at the time. Tony Blair, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, was also there. Other members of the Royal Family attended too.
The ceremony featured special performances. Hayley Westenra sang the national anthems of the UK and New Zealand. A Māori group called Ngāti Rānana sang a traditional song. There was also a powerful haka performance. Airplanes from New Zealand and the UK flew overhead as part of the celebration.
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