Remember our histories, conflicts, and connections around the world
The Pukeahu National War Memorial Park is the national place for New Zealanders to remember and reflect on this country’s experience of war, military conflict and peacekeeping, and how that experience shapes our ideals and sense of national identity.
Surrounding the National War Memorial, Pukeahu Park contains historic sites, memorials from other countries, and public space you can visit any day.
The National War Memorial Building is currently closed, except for commemorations and ceremonies, while we strengthen the Carillon Tower. The rest of the park is open and safe to visit.
The purpose of the park
The Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, which opened in April 2015, was built to create a space around the National War Memorial, which includes the carillon, the Hall of Memories and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
The park also provides a place for memorials from other countries with which New Zealand has a close military relationship, and to remember military conflicts currently not recognised in a national memorial, such as New Zealand’s ongoing role in peacekeeping operations and the New Zealand Wars of the 1800s.
Pukeahu National War Memorial Park is a place where people can gather on major ceremonial occasions such as Anzac Day, but is also a place where people can visit on any day of the year.
Visiting the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park
Pukeahu National War Memorial Park is on Buckle Street in central Wellington.
Located just 15 minutes walk from Te Papa and the waterfront it is a place of quiet reflection in central Wellington, our capital city. There are no admission charges to visit the park or the National War Memorial.
Map of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park
Opening hours
Pukeahu National War Memorial Park can be visited any time.
Wheelchair access
There is wheelchair access, with a moveable ramp stored inside the Hall of Memories.
View Wellington City Council's Accessible Wellington map. This map of central Wellington provides information about accessible services and facilities in Wellington, including the locations of mobility parks, accessible toilets, drinking fountains and venues which have hearing loops available.
Getting to Pukeahu National War Memorial Park
By car
There is limited free two hour parking available for visitors on the northern side of the park by Mount Cook School.
Mobility parks can be found off Martin Square, on the right-hand side of the National War Memorial and behind the National War Memorial. Visitors to the Park who have a mobility badge displayed in their car can park for up to four hours in any of the parking bays along the two lanes running next to the memorials.
Access to parking is via Buckle Street, off Tasman Street or via Martin Square, off Taranaki Street.
By public transport
Visit Metlink for public transport options. A number of buses travel along Taranaki Street. The closest bus stop is just past the intersection with Buckle Street.
Updated on 6th March 2023