Kingsley Baird
The New Zealand Memorial
Anzac Parade
Canberra
Australia
2001
Mau tena kiwai o te kete, maku tenei
Each of us at a handle of the basket
The memorial, which includes two 11-metre high bronze kete handles, expresses remembrance specific to New Zealand’s contemporary national and cultural identity and the New Zealand-Australian relationship by combining Maori and Pakeha symbolic and visual elements. For example, the design is based on a Maori saying expressing universal notions of sharing the load (and sacrifice), and includes major indigenous (Maori and Aboriginal) design elements (paving).
Distinguished New Zealand historian and co-author of 'The Sorrow and the Pride: New Zealand War Memorials', Jock Phillips, wrote of the memorial: ‘Kingsley’s solution was brilliant …. No one who has seen the memorial, whether local Aussies, international tourists or art critics has failed to be overwhelming in their praise for the qualities of this design. The memorial is widely accepted as being by far the finest among all the memorials on Anzac Avenue.'
Kingsley Baird and Studio of Pacific Architecture assembled an international team including paving design: Daisy Nadjungdanga / Urban Art Projects (Australia) and Toi Maihi / Allen Wihongi (New Zealand); poem: Jenny Bornholdt (New Zealand); and typography, Mission Hall Design (New Zealand).
Additional information on NZ Memorial at: http://www.mch.govt.nz/heritage/canmem.html
