The Australian Memorial at Pukeahu.
This memorial commemorates the long and close relationship between the people of Australia and New Zealand.
The rugged red sandstone columns represent the heart of Australia: the 'red centre'. Each column stands on a band of the same red stone, between them bands of grey stone symbolise the New Zealand landscape: the interweaving is a perpetual reminder of the united destiny of the two nations.
The central column is inscribed with the word ‘Anzac’. Originally an acronym for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, it is now emblematic of the long and close relationship between the two nations and their shared goals in peace and war.
Inscribed on the black granite insets of seven columns are the names of the theatres and operations in which Australians and New Zealanders have served alongside each other.
Seven other columns feature artwork of the first peoples of both Australia and New Zealand. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art from the Balarinji design studio in Sydney focuses on details of works depicting cultural artifacts and aspects of war and peace. The artworks by Jacob Manu Scott acknowledge tikanga Māori (Māori customs).
The memorial was designed by Australian architects Tonkin Zulaikha Greer.
The dedication of the Australian Memorial took place on 20 April 2015 in the presence of the Honourable Tony Abbott, the then Prime Minister of Australia and the Right Honourable John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand.
In June 2016 the Australian Memorial won the Small Project Architecture Award in the Australian Institute of Architects’ International Chapter Architecture Awards. Read more in the Australian Institute of Architects media release.
As part of the 2017 New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects awards, the Australian Memorial received an award in excellence for urban space.
Further information
Photos from the dedication service can be viewed the Manatū Taonga’s photostream on Flickr.
Prime Minister John Key's speech at the Dedication service.
Related links
Updated on 2nd June 2022