New Zealand War Memorial - Hyde Park Corner, London, UK - Wikipedia Entries on Waymarking.com

War memorials are, generally, solemn looking structures but this one is something completely different. It is more a piece of art than the traditional plinth and each element contains a piece of history about someone, an event or a place in New Zealand.

"The New Zealand Memorial in London's Hyde Park Corner commemorates the enduring bonds between New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and our shared sacrifice during times of war. It is a symbol both of our common heritage and of New Zealand's distinct identity.

Designed by architect John Hardwick-Smith and sculptor Paul Dibble the memorial consists of 16 cross-shaped vertical bronze 'standards' set out in formation on a grassy slope. Each standard is adorned with text, patterns and small sculptures. "Through the words and images, any New Zealander visiting the memorial will recognise home, and British people may learn something of the relationship between our two countries," explains Paul Dibble.

The memorial was dedicated on 11 November 2006 in the presence of the Royal Family and is expected to become a particular focus for Anzac Day commemorations in London each year.

The project was managed by the Ministry in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Defence Force, and Veterans' Affairs New Zealand. In London, it was carried out in cooperation with English Heritage and the Westminster City Council.

Called 'Southern Stand', the memorial consists of 16 bronze sculptures of varying heights set out in formation across a grassy slope in Hyde Park Corner. The design team explains that the memorial "marks a field for the commemoration and celebration of New Zealand and Britain's war-time and peace-time relationship".

Paul Dibble's wife and assistant Fran Dibble explains that the individual 'standards' are "made to stand in semi-grid formation calling to mind soldiers in procession, … Pouwhenua markers around Maori ancestral sites, or Celtic remains" like standing stones. The forward-leaning angle of the standards gives them a defiant pose "reminiscent of warriors during haka, the defensive bat in cricket, and the barrel of a shouldered gun". Thus the military, Aotearoa/New Zealand, and British links of the memorial are immediately established in the placing and attitude of the sculptures.

Six standards are positioned beyond the main group and are arranged to form the shape of the Southern Cross constellation. At night, their tops are illuminated so that the crosses appear like the southern stars, indicating the compass direction south … and pointing the way home for wandering Kiwis. Each standard is formed from two intersecting plates of bronze, which are cut at a diagonal plane at the top. From afar, they appear like a series of crosses hanging in the air, with some of the atmosphere of the soldiers' mass cemeteries,' says Fran Dibble."

Source New Zealand Ministry for Culture & Heritage.