Tensions high at Napier memorial meeting

Napier mayor Bill Dalton and architect of the War Memorial Hall Guy Natusch both stated their preference for the Floral Clock option for Napier's memorial items. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

Tensions were high at a public meeting on the future of Napier's war memorial tonight.

About 100 people attended the public meeting at MTG Hawke's Bay, opposite the beleaguered Napier Conference Centre and the three proposed sites to house the memorial items formerly located there.

This meeting followed months of public outcry over the removal of the Eternal Flame, Roll of Honour, and the "War Memorial" title from the centre during its multimillion-dollar redevelopment.

Tonight the proposed options for a new Marine Parade memorial were discussed, with Napier City Council staff explaining how each were selected, and their advantages, as well as taking some heat from the audience.

This evening Napier mayor Bill Dalton explained the council had decided to move the items during the centre's redevelopment to ensure they were in an appropriate, and accessible location.

"We have not forgotten our war heroes. We are wanting to remember them in a more accessible and dignified way."

Despite initial plans to move the items to Memorial Square, Mr Dalton said the council had received a "clear message" the most appropriate place for the War Memorial was Marine Parade.

When given the chance to provide feedback on the three proposed options, some residents criticised the council's handling of the situation, which had taken "four months and counting" to resolve.

While one audience member stated she thought the options being presented now were "fantastic", she pointed out the redevelopment had started in 2015.

"Why at that point was this not brought to our attention so that this meeting now didn't have to happen with so much angst for so many people? This could have been resolved."

Although Mr Dalton said this was "fair criticism", he said the buildings redevelopment had to be accelerated due to its earthquake risk, which meant the council lost use of the centre, and its revenue.

"So we got on, did the job, and now we're consulting, and I think that's the appropriate way to go about it."

Another resident said the meeting had not touched on the "emotional connection" of families who contributed to the cost of building the hall.

"We are being offered three options, but really no one listens to the voice of the people who want the option of where it was, put it back where it was, that's what people want," she said.

There had been vocal support for this, however Mr Dalton said "the simple answer" was the items could not return.

"We can put it in an area that we believe will be more accessible, will still honor the fallen, it will be a place that is far better than having it inside a hall," he said, as there had been complaints about people not being able to access the memorial items when the conference center was in use.

He earlier said it was decided to remove the memorial items "from a busy, noisy, and at times boozy place that was often unable to be accessed by those who wanted to visit it".

- Feedback can still be provided at napier.govt.nz/our-council/consultations/have-your-say/napier-war-memorial/