The idea was led by Colonel G. A. Ward, Chairman of the Tauranga Domain Board and had the support of the Tauranga Borough Council. For Col. Ward the gates would not only commemorate Tauranga's men but also beautify the entrance to the Domain, she said.
Sharing his vision to erect the Memorial Gates at the Domain to immortalise Tauranga's fallen, Colonel Ward wrote, "There they will always be, in the public eye".
"All ages, classes and creeds make that place their meeting ground for sports, social gatherings and demonstrations. The young particularly so, and these last it is most desirable and fitting should never be allowed to forget the grand example set by those we propose to commemorate."
During the war a small fund was established and in 1919 the Tauranga Borough Council was asked for £250, the War Memorial Committee needing £1200, Ms Kean said.
Fundraising began and by March 1920 £473 had been raised. It took another year and half to raise the funds with the gates being opened 11 December 1921, she said.
"Unlike many memorials around the country which were constructed using government designs and names from official sources, our gates were designed by a Tauranga man Col. Ward.
"He had a passion for the gates and what they represented, having lost his only son on the battlefield in 1918."
"He was also responsible for gathering the names. To do this he called for citizens to put forward their loved ones and this makes the memorial unique. For example in many cases Maori soldiers enlisted using a Pakeha name, making it easier for army administrators.
"It is by this name that they are commemorated in official sources. However on our memorial they are remembered by their Maori names. A permanent reminder of the sacrifice they, and their whanau made, and their connection to this land."