City’s war memorial shut again
The National War Memorial has been closed for earthquake repairs, less than two years after it reopened following seismicstrengthening.
Manatu¯ Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) confirmed the war memorial’s 74-bell carillon tower was closed last Thursday and its bells silenced, following a report that found it was quake-prone.
It is the second time in recent years the bells in the carillon tower have stopped ringing. In May 2018, it reopened after being closed for four years for restoration and seismic-strengthening work.
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s Te Pae Mahara manager, Brodie Stubbs, said the report had been commissioned following engineers’ advice during the previous closure.
It was originally closed to refurbish a corroded steel bell frame but the ministry took the opportunity to add to existing seismic bracing while engineers and steel workers were on site.
‘‘The engineers suggested a detailed seismic assessment to include the whole tower and the bell frames.’’
The report confirmed the site is earthquake-prone. ‘‘We have decided to temporarily close the building while we work through any implications of this report.’’
There was no set timeframe for when the tower would reopen, he said.
Local resident Ben Wynne said he would miss the bells, which were often heard ringing in the area. He has lived next to the tower for two years, and said while the bells were occasionally annoying, the music added character.
A Wellington City Council spokesman said it had offered the ministry support. ‘‘We fully understand MCH’s decision to close the building. It’s a nationally important memorial and landmark and we all would like to see it reopened as soon as possible.’’
While the memorial – made up of the carillon tower and the Hall of Memories – is closed, Pukeahu National War Memorial Park and education centre remain open.
The Hall of Memories is not earthquake-prone but has been closed as it is only accessible via the tower.
The carillon tower is home to 74 bells, many gifted by families of soldiers who died in World War I. The first stone was laid in 1931 by prime minister George Forbes. It opened on Anzac Day, 1932.