Remembrance Made Permanent

The long-awaited NZ war memorial in London’s Hyde Park was officially opened on Remembrance Day, in the presence of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Prince William, Tony Blair and Helen Clark. Described as “striking” by the Queen, the 16 bronze stands by Paul Dibble, commemorate NZ’s enduring links with Britain and the lives both nations have lost fighting in wars together. “To have the Queen and eight other members of the royal family present, to have the British prime minister, many many dignitaries, it was truly a huge occasion for New Zealand in London,” said Clark. More than 2000 guests attended the ceremony, which featured speeches by Clark, Blair and the Queen, a 120-strong royal honour guard, and performances by Hayley Westenra and Dave Dobbyn.