Unknown Warrior Tomb on Hold

The High Court decision by Justice Ron Young on 4 June 2003, effectively put a stop to the current proposal to have a “Tomb of the Unknown Warrior” completed for dedication on 11 November 2003. An injunction against the project in its current form had been lodged by a heritage society based in Wellington.

The Ministry of Culture and Heritage project had reached the stage where a formal groundbreaking and site blessing ceremony had been conducted at the National War Memorial site on 13 May 2003. This project has the blessing of the RNZRSA, and in his speech at the site on 13 May, David Cox, National President RNZRSA told the gathering:

“The RSA first proposed that New Zealand establish its own Tomb of the Unknown Warrior some 60 years ago. And now, finally, our country is to bring home the mortal remains of one anonymous New Zealander who died on the Western Front during the Great War of 1914-18. He will symbolise the sacrifices of all New Zealanders who have fought for the restoration and preservation of peace: past – present – and future.

“The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior will provide a focal point for personal and public commemoration of the lives lost, and of the grief suffered by families, local communities and the country as a whole.”

In a Dominion-Post article on the decision, it was reported that: In his decision of 4 June 2003, Justice Young commented:

“The Wellington City Council made a ‘serious error of law’ when it granted land use for the tomb on the basis that the steps and forecourt of the memorial – the parts to be dug up for the tomb – were not part of the museum’s heritage listing.”

The Serious about Heritage Society secretary, Michael Kelly said the decision by Justice Young proved that the project had not been properly considered.

“This is the National War Memorial, New Zealand’s most important monument. It’s too important to just trot around tow or three groups (for permission),” he said

David Cox, RNZRSA National President delivers his speech at the groundbreaking and site blessing ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior on Tuesday 13 May 2003. Behind him is the well known statue of "Simpson and his donkey", one of the items that was to be relocated in the building of the proposed tomb.

In response to the decision, RNZRSA Chief Executive Pat Herbert told the Dominion-Post:

“The RSA first raised this in the early 1940s, so we have waited many, many years. Another year, in that scale of time, is not huge.”

The Ministry of Culture and Heritage has requested the Wellington City Council to carry out a publicly notified resource consent exercise, so that all parties may comment on the proposed Tomb of the Unknown Warrior project.