April 17, 2015
Pukeahu War Memorial complex opens
The voice of the tangata whenua will be the first to be heard tomorrow morning at the opening of the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.
In a $25 million makeover, Buckle St in front of the Carillion has been put underground, and the former Dominion Museum turned over to Sir Peter Jackson and Sir Richard Taylor to create a multi-year exhibition marking the centenary of the First World War.
National Army Museum director Jeanette Richardson says tomorrow’s dawn ceremony is a recognition of the spiritual side of the project and the need to welcome the large number of manuhiri expected.
She says the precinct has been transformed into a quiet and reflective space.
"It’s also a very beautiful place. A lot of the structures that have been put in, and the Australian memorial of course, are all quite special, and other memorials will be added to the park from some of the other countries so there is a real 'heart of the nation' feel to this place," she says.
Jeanette Richardson says the museum will be open until 11pm for the next two weeks, with a special exhibition on Gallipoli opening on Anzac Day.
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