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The Napier War Memorial Restoration

The Napier War Memorial Hall was designed by Guy Natusch and was opened in Marine Parade on 14 July 1957. The stylish and innovative building incorporated a conference hall and restaurant, a Roll of Honour with a Perpetual Flame, fountain and pond. The facility has been altered on a number of occasions, firstly in 1978, then again in 1995 and most recently in 2017. The 2017 refurbishment transformed the Napier War Memorial Centre into a state-of-the-art conferencing facility for Hawke's Bay. As a result of the upgrade, both the Roll of Honour and Perpetual Flame were removed.

In November 2019, Napier City Council formed a reference group to help restore the Napier War Memorial. The reference group includes members from the Napier and Taradale RSA's, Historic Places Hawke's Bay, community representatives and Napier City Council.

In March 2021, the War Memorial Reference Group agreed to the restoration concept drawings. The approved drawings were presented to the community on 22 March 2021 before being formally adopted by Council.

 

Why has the floral clock been removed?

It is being restored and it will be returned to the site, at a different location, at the appropriate time.

It was constructed before the Napier War Memorial Centre and can be a stand-alone feature, however it has always been associated with the War Memorial Centre, so Council would like to keep it as such through the design process.

What is happening behind the fence?

The site is surrounded by a fence for health and safety reasons, while the work is underway, and will stay there until the project is almost finished. 

The contractor is completing the first of the physical works before Christmas 2022.

How long will the project take?

We would like it to be completed by March 2023. However, as with many projects planned since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be impacted by unforeseen delays. High demand on the construction sector, and supply issues are two major factors currently impacting projects in Hawke’s Bay and throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

Napier War Memorial Concept Design Fly-through 

DOWNLOAD THE CONCEPT DRAWINGS

  1. That the reinstated Memorial be constructed at forecourt level, on the floral clock site, forming part of the War Memorial Site,
  2. That a curved wall, open to the elements, reflective of the ballroom shape and physically connected to the building, display the Roll of Honour,
  3. That the Perpetual Flame form part of the existing War Memorial Building Entrance so that it is visible when entering the building, from the Memorial and externally at night,
  4. That water be incorporated into the design that is near to and complements the flame so that they can be viewed together,
  5. That a place/s to sit and reflect be included,
  6. That physical access and visual connection to the formal lawn be incorporated,
  7. That remembrance artwork be incorporated into the design to connect the Memorial space with the Memorial Building and lower lawn, uniting the Memorial elements,
  8. That landscaping is included that complements and promotes restful contemplation and unites the Memorial Building with the Memorial elements,
  9. That the design include flag poles connecting the Memorial and Memorial building,
  10. That WW1 and WW2 Rolls be displayed in a prominent way flowing onto consecutive conflicts’ Rolls,
  11. That the original physical Roll of Honour be respectfully incorporated into the design and that a small committee of appropriate representatives are given this brief to provide Council a recommendation on ‘how to incorporate’.

 

Status:

Underway

Budget:

$2M

Timeline:

Stage 1 demolition and site levelling complete

Stage 2 foundations and underground services to be completed December 2022

 


Napier War Memorial Project Updates

14 December 2022

Today the concrete was poured for the foundations for the new look Napier War Memorial.
 
By Christmas all of the foundations will be complete and the blockwork will have been started, providing a strong base on which to construct the key elements of what will become a quietly contemplative space from which to view the restored plaques and Perpetual Flame.
 
The contractors, led by Atkin Construction will be working right up until Christmas before taking a well-earned short break and getting back into it early in the New Year.
 
For more information about this project, and to view a fly through of the design concept, visit https://www.napier.govt.nz/napier/projects/the-napier-war-memorial-restoration/

 

2 December 2022

View how we are progressing on the Napier War Memorial restoration project by viewing our video update below.

The site has been cleared, the survey pegs installed and plans are well underway for reinstating the key elements of the Napier War Memorial over the next few months.

The Perpetual Flame, Roll of Honour and Floral Clock are all being cared for off-site. The Roll of Honour is being cleaned and restored, and the clock mechanism is being completely refurbished by expert horologists in Taupō. The next step for the site itself is pouring of the base for the lower pond.

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