Negotiations begin on new site for memorial

Talks on relocating the Takapuna war memorial from the Strand have begun, with a site at the top of Hurstmere Green looking the early frontrunner.

If agreement is reached between parties including the RSA, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and Auckland Council property arm Panuku, the next issue is cost, so an early decision is not expected.

But the resumption of stalled talks does mean that future Anzac Day commemorations seem likely to shift from the Strand, although possibly not by next April.

Board chair Toni van Tonder confirmed a meeting was held this week, and said any decision would involve a collaborative co-design.

Feedback she had received from being master of ceremonies at a packed Anzac Day at the Strand confirmed that while that location worked well for people seated in the plaza area, those who had followed the parade down Lake Rd and into the Strand were bunched on the road and couldn’t see or hear anything.

“We can find a spot that’s far more inclusive,” van Tonder said.

The previous local board wanted the memorial in a prominent position in a civic space, signalling this with its choice of name for the new Takapuna town square: Waiwharariki Anzac Square.

Panuku had pencilled in a position for the memorial in the square, but concern that the large structure would not easily fit into the design led to suggestions of a reconfiguration or relocation to another site.

The board chair at the time, Ruth Jackson, noted that Panuku had only committed to paying costs of a relocation within the square. Panuku had floated moving it to the beach reserve, but the slope and lack of space meant this was not favoured.

Van Tonder confirmed a Hurstmere Rd site was being considered. This would be at the rear of the wide paved area overlooking the old Post Office side of the green. Space opposite, at the 38 Hurstmere extension of the square would be suitable for assembling and an Anzac Day parade could be held on the closed-off street.

But she said a site in the square itself was still a possibility, given Anzac Day was a major civic event.

“I think there is room for it in the town square, but it would not be the existing cenotaph.”

Preferences would be now considered. This included “what the RSA would like to achieve and where they would like it to go”.

Parade organiser Alex Koppenaal and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei were also being asked for opinions, van Tonder said.

Once agreement was reached on how to proceed, she said the proposed relocation would come back to the board for its approval as local landholder. Decisions on funding would also be needed.

Costs could fall back on the board, she acknowledged, and while this was frustrating, especially with budgets so tight, Panuku’s responsibilities were only as the square developer.