Wellington Cenotaph

The Wellington Cenotaph, also known as the Wellington Citizens' War Memorial, is a war memorial located on the intersection of Lambton Quay and Bowen Street in Wellington, New Zealand. It commemorates the war dead of the two world wars. The cenotaph is listed by Heritage New Zealand and it is the city's focus for the annual Anzac Day commemorations.

For the New Zealand National War Memorial, also in Wellington, see National War Memorial (New Zealand).

Wellington Cenotaph
Wellington Cenotaph
41°16′45″S 174°46′38″E
LocationLambton Quay and Bowen Street, Wellington, New Zealand
DesignerRichard Gross
Completion date1931
Opening dateAnzac Day (25 April) 1931
Official nameWellington Cenotaph
Designated3 March 1982
Reference no.215

History

It was unveiled on Anzac Day (25 April) 1931 to commemorate the New Zealand dead of World War I. It features two wings decorated with relief sculptures, and the central cenotaph is topped with a bronze figure on horseback,[1] all carried out by Richard Gross.[2] Two bronze lions and a series of bronze friezes were later added in commemoration of World War II.[1] On 18 March 1982, it was registered as a Category I historic place with registration number 215.[3] It is a focus of Anzac Day commemorations in the city.

The souvenir programme for the dedication says the mounted figure was entitled 'The Will to Peace', and is described thus:

Pegasus spurning underfoot the victor's spoils of war and rising into the heavens, enabl[ing] his rider to emerge from the deluge of blood and tears, and to receive the great spiritual assurance of peace.[1]

On 2 September 2013, new plans for the cenotaph were presented including a new staircase and water feature up to the Parliament Buildings. The works also include repairs to the cenotaph surface materials and creation of a square to create a ceremonial space.[4][5] The Wellington Sculpture Trust commissioned Joe Sheehan to install Walk the Line, a line of nephrite discs tracing the line of the Waipiro Stream, which flowed from Bowen St to the foreshore.[6]

In 2015 the Wellington Anzac Day citizen's wreath-laying ceremony was held at the upgraded cenotaph.[7]

  • Detail of the mounted figure, described above
    Detail of the mounted figure, described above
  • The cenotaph just before dawn on Anzac Day 2007
    The cenotaph just before dawn on Anzac Day 2007
  • Michael Joseph Savage's funeral procession next to the cenotaph in 1940
    Michael Joseph Savage's funeral procession next to the cenotaph in 1940
  • Crowd surrounding the Cenotaph, Wellington, at the dedication ceremony in 1932
    Crowd surrounding the Cenotaph, Wellington, at the dedication ceremony in 1932
  • Full view of the Wellington Cenotaph {with Bowen House in the background)
    Full view of the Wellington Cenotaph {with Bowen House in the background)

References
  1. "Wellington cenotaph". nzhistory.govt.nz. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  2. Gross, Richard Oliver. "Wellington Cenotaph". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  3. "Cenotaph". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  4. "Parliamentary precinct's big makeover". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  5. "Revamp for Cenotaph area on target". Stuff/Fairfax. 16 September 2014.
  6. Elliott, Sue (29 January 2023). "Joe Sheehan walks the line with elegant simplicity". Stuff. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  7. "Citizens ceremony at Wellington Cenotaph". Stuff/Fairfax. 25 April 2015.

Media related to Cenotaph, Wellington at Wikimedia Commons

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