Ensuring the Carillon is strong and safe
The National War Memorial Building is currently closed, except for commemorations and ceremonies, while we seismically strengthen the Carillon Tower.
The rest of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park is open, safe and full of things to see and do.
The National War Memorial Building
Built in 1932, the Carillon Tower has been assessed as earthquake prone, meaning it could be damaged in an earthquake. The weak point is some parts of the bell frame. This poses a risk of injury on in the vicinity of the bell frames and not in the public areas of the tower.
The rest of the building is the Hall of Memories, which was strengthened between 2012 and 2015.
You can find more details in the latest 2022 report available below.
2022: Concept Strengthening Report (PDF, 5.8MB)
2020 (outdated): Carillon tower and bell-frames seismic assessment report (PDF, 21MB)
Visit the park
Everything else at Pukeahu is safe and available, including regular activities and functions, or if you just want a nice walk between Taranaki and Tory Streets.
Work programme
See more information on the project page below.
Carillon Tower seismic strengthening project
After the memorial reopens
Wellington City Council commissioned Storybox to produce this video as part of the Wellington's Bell Stories project.
Updated on 10th May 2023