Tomb of the Unknown Warrior - archived press releases

Media Releases 14 April - 4 June 2003

Tomb of the Unknown Warrior (4 June 2003)

Ministry for Culture and Heritage Chief Executive Martin Matthews today responded to the High Court decision regarding the resource consent earlier given to the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

'If further public consultation on the proposed development is now required by the Wellington City Council, we will willingly comply with such a requirement to enable us to move forward.'

'Today's decision is a disappointment, but we accept fully the judge's decision.'

'It is important that the development of the Tomb and the War Memorial are highly valued and supported by New Zealanders. The Ministry has always acted in good faith, with the heritage values of the War Memorial being of paramount consideration.'

'We consulted widely from the outset of the project, and approval was given from key groups such as the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Royal New Zealand Returned Services’ Association, the Wellington Tenths Trust prior to us seeking the original consent from the Wellington City Council.'

Mr Matthews said that today’s outcome means that the Tomb will not be dedicated on Armistice Day, 11 November, as originally planned. A new date will be set at the time that consent is obtained from the Council.

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Tomb of the Unknown Warrior dawn blessing ceremony (13 May 2003)

A dawn blessing ceremony took place today in Wellington to mark the beginning of construction work on the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. The Tomb will be located in front of the National War Memorial. The ceremony was attended by representatives from key groups involved with the project, including Minister of Defence, the Hon Mark Burton, representing the Crown, and Māori Tribal representatives from major tribes around the country.

At the ceremony, senior Te Ati Awa Kaumātua Sam Jackson placed three stones of spiritual significance at the Tomb site. The stones hold the 'mauri' or spiritual life force of the people of Te Ati Awa (tangata whenua), giving 'mana' or status to the land where the Tomb is being built. The stones also represent spiritual links for Te Ati Awa between their original homelands around Mount Taranaki, and the land they settled in Wellington over 200 years ago. It is intended that the stones be buried in the Tomb with the Unknown Warrior.

Col (Ret) Andrew Renton-Green, Chairman of the National War Memorial Advisory Council and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior Co-ordinating Committee, said 'Today's historic ceremony marks a major step forward in the development of our National War Memorial, a memorial which is a living testament to our heritage. Until now there has been no specific place in New Zealand to remember those who died for their country in foreign lands and who were buried without their identities being known - the British Commonwealth Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey is the only place that honours these New Zealanders, together with their Commonwealth comrades.'

'This Tomb, in our country, honours the unknown New Zealand warrior. It will be our place to pay our respects, reflect, spend some quiet time. It will have meaning for us all, and for future generations.'

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior will honour the 27,000 New Zealanders who are buried in foreign lands as a result of service overseas. As the soldier's name, rank, regiment, race, religion and other details are unknown, he will represent all those lost to their families through war.

A New Zealand delegation will travel to France for a ceremony on 2 November to begin the process of repatriating the Unknown Warrior. On return, the Unknown Warrior will lie in State at Parliament to enable New Zealanders to pay their respects. A State funeral will be held on 11 November at Wellington's Cathedral of St Paul. It will be followed by a funeral procession to the National War Memorial where an interment ceremony will take place.

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior Project is co-ordinated by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Other government departments involved are: New Zealand Defence Force, Veterans' Affairs New Zealand, Department of Internal Affairs, Te Puni Kōkiri/Ministry of Māori Development, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is supported by the National War Memorial Advisory Council, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Royal New Zealand Returned Services' Association, Te Ati Awa (represented by the Wellington Tenths Trust), and the Wellington City Council.

The Studio of Pacific Architecture will develop the forecourt of the National War Memorial. The Tomb is designed by sculptor Robert Jahnke.

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For further information contact:

Catriona Robertson
McMedia Marketing Ltd
Tel: 06 308 8852 / 021 243 2058
Email: mcmedia@xtra.co.nz

Winning Design for the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior (Press Release: 14 April 2003)

At Parliament today Prime Minister Helen Clark unveiled the winning design for the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. The Tomb will be located at the National War Memorial in Wellington. The official dedication of the Tomb will take place on 11 November, Armistice Day.

The winning design is by well-known New Zealand sculptor, Robert Jahnke.

Commenting on his design, Mr Jahnke said, 'The Tomb establishes a complementary relationship with the Carillon tower. It has been conceived as a directional pointer towards the tower. It's simple yet monumental.'

'I've deliberately used stone as a medium to reference Aotearoa New Zealand, and territories beyond our country. South Island pounamu acknowledges New Zealand as the homeland of the Unknown Warrior, while imported black granite acknowledges that the Unknown Warrior will be returning from overseas.'

National President of the RNZRSA, David Cox said he was delighted with the proposed design. 'It will be a distinctive and dignified addition to the existing war memorial. Robert Jahnke is to be congratulated. He has produced a design that is in complete harmony and sympathy with the existing memorial. It symbolises the terrible suffering inflicted on this country in its struggles to preserve freedom, justice and the democratic way of life.'

Work on construction of the site for the Tomb will begin next month. The Studio of Pacific Architecture will develop the forecourt of the National War Memorial.

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior project began last year when agreement was reached with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to repatriate the remains of a New Zealand soldier killed in World War One.

It will be a symbolic bringing home on behalf of the 27,000 New Zealanders who are buried in foreign lands as a result of service overseas. As the soldier's name, rank, regiment, race, religion and other details are unknown, he will represent all those lost to their families through war.

A State funeral will be held on 11 November at Wellington's Cathedral of St Paul. It will be followed by a funeral procession to the National War Memorial where an interment ceremony will take place.

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior Project is co-ordinated by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Other government departments involved are: New Zealand Defence Force, Veterans' Affairs New Zealand, Department of Internal Affairs, Te Puni Kokiri/Ministry of Maori Development, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is supported by the National War Memorial Advisory Council, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Royal New Zealand Returned Services' Association, Te Ati Awa (represented by the Wellington Tenths Trust), and the Wellington City Council.

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Designs sought for Tomb of the Unknown Warrior (9 December 2002)

Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today that the government plans to unveil a Tomb of the Unknown Warrior on Armistice Day 2003, and is calling for expressions of interest for the Tomb's design. See full text on the Beehive website.

For further information contact:

Catriona Robertson, McMedia Marketing Ltd
Tel: 06 308 8852 / 021 243 2058
Email: mcmedia@xtra.co.nz

Andrew Renton-Green, Chairman, National War Memorial Advisory Council
Tel: 025 622 5275
Email: thergs@paradise.net