War memorial just first stage of garden project

A vision 15 years in the making will be revealed next week at New Zealand’s first public Korean Garden, in Takapuna.

The official unveiling of a war memorial amid landscaped planting on Barrys Point Reserve will mark stage one of an ambitious project to create a place of contemplation for all to enjoy.

To mark the occasion, officials and veterans representatives from South Korea and New Zealand will gather on 25 July, to recognise the determination and achievements of a group of North Shore’s Korean residents to create the garden.

Korean Garden Trust spokesman Ken Lee told the Observer it was fitting the initial focus was on the war memorial, given 2023 was the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice.

“The trust particularly put the Korean War veterans memorial park in stage one of the Korean Garden, since those war veterans are getting aged.”

He consulted some in the design and says: “It is such an honour that I could do something for their noble effort.”

Construction work began in January. In time, the project will occupy a site of 15,000 sqm, complete with a pavilion, rotunda, bridge and sculpture garden, but for now it centres on the memorial amid trees and flowers. When these bloom, they will do so in a yin and yang pattern in the red, white and blue colours of the Korean flag.

The main carved memorial was donated by the county of Gapyeoung, scene of a battle involving New Zealanders. Another rock, sourced from Great Barrier Island, is included in the design.

Gapyeoung’s Mayor will attend the unveiling, with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown also invited, along with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Korean consulate, member of Parliament Melissa Lee, and local board members past and present.

Architect Lee, who finished his highschool studies at Rosmini College in 2000, has been involved in the trust since its founding in 2008, initially as a technical adviser. He is now its designer and was the contractor for stage one.

“It is a great, successful symbol of a harmony between locals and immigrants of North Shore since the site has been provided by the city as a gesture of appreciation for the voluntary cleaning work of Korean immigrants,” Lee says.

The initial idea for a garden dates back well before the trust’s founding, to a group of Koreans who voluntarily weeded around Lake Pupuke. Core trust members all have strong North Shore connections, and most still live in the area. They include chair Young Hwan Oh, members Edward Lee, Stephanie Cho, Ki Won Cho, former chair Ben Lee and former treasurer Andy An.

The project won early backing from the former North Shore City Council. Later, the project, with its agreed site, gained $144,200 funding from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, with $75,000 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Future spending on it and maintenance is now the trust’s responsibility. Lee says he is optimistic that now stage one can be seen, sponsors who have already expressed interest will follow through to support the next stages.

Access to the memorial is gained from across the road behind the golf driving range. The site has views towards both the city and Rosmini College.