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January 10, 2026
#regional:Mayor Andrew Little Responds to Damage at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On January 10, 2026
Wellington’s mayor has spoken out after damage was reported at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in central Wellington, a site of national significance and remembrance.
The park, which honours New Zealanders who served and sacrificed in wars and conflict, has been targeted over the past holiday period, with metal letters stolen from the memorial signage and elements of the French Memorial damaged, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage says.
Mayor Andrew Little has issued a statement expressing deep concern about the incident and urging respect for this important national site. He said the memorial precinct is a place for all New Zealanders to reflect and pay tribute to those who served, and any harm to these spaces is deeply upsetting to the community.
Pukeahu National War Memorial Park lies at the heart of Wellington’s memorial landscape and includes international monuments, including the French Memorial – a symbol of the friendship between Aotearoa New Zealand and France and a tribute to shared wartime histories.
The Ministry has confirmed it is working with Police as part of the response, and investigations are underway. Local leaders are calling on anyone with information to come forward as they aim to restore the site and safeguard its heritage for all visitors.
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