A Weta Workshop staff member studies the centrepiece of the memorial to New Zealand bomber crews. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A Weta Workshop staff member studies the centrepiece of the memorial to New Zealand bomber crews. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Disgruntled World War II Bomber Command veterans are accusing the Auckland War Memorial Museum's director of having little knowledge of Anzac tradition, after they were refused space for a memorial inside the museum.

The $100,000 bronze sculpture, created by Weta Workshop, has languished in Wellington since August, while museum administrators have changed their minds three times about where to display it.

This month, the museum decided there was no space available, saying the size of the memorial, which is 1.2m wide and 1.8m high, would overshadow other displays inside the museum.

RAF Bomber Command Veterans Association administrator Peter Wheeler said his organisation was "stunned" when museum director Vanda Vitali phoned on the eve of Anzac Day to say the original site was unsuitable.

"It was terribly hurtful. She may not have known what it meant to us, but it was absolutely horrifying."

Mr Wheeler said Dr Vitali's Canadian heritage might have made her less informed about how the news would affect the veterans.

"I'm sure she's coming up to speed now, but she obviously had very little knowledge about Anzac tradition."

He said emotions had been running high within the association since hearing the news.

"Comments have been totally supportive ... 'Irate' would probably be a better way of putting it. One letter said, 'This nonsense is not only disrespectful to the surviving veterans but also to today's serving members of the defence forces."'

Dr Vitali, who is overseas until November 6, was unavailable for comment.

But museum trust Board chairman David Hill has defended Dr Vitali, saying her background and the timing of the phone call were of no relevance as she was only complying with the board's wishes.

"That was never a message that was going to be delivered politely. This issue is not about a foreigner's understanding of New Zealand history ... This issue is about finding an appropriate place for a memorial within our museum."

Mr Hill said he had agreed to meet the veterans association to find a suitable solution.

He stood by the museum's original decision, however, saying the memorial was noticeably larger than anything else in the proposed 'hall of memories' site and would detract from the significance of other memorabilia.