Te Motu o Poutoa Anzac Park proposal

We're proposing to create a civic marae with public facilities, as well as visitor and education attractions.

Te Motu o Poutoa Anzac Park is one of Palmerston North's most culturally significant sites and a memorial for those who fought for New Zealand in various conflicts around the world.

In 2019 we entered into a formal co-management agreement with Rangitāne o Manawatū to preserve this wāhi tapu (sacred place) and help to more confidently represent the mana and identity of this ancestral site for Rangitāne and the fallen.

The proposed visitor attraction would include a building to cater for a variety of uses – including a café, meeting rooms, shop and gallery, with capacity to host overnight stays. It would be available for cultural and civic events, education and casual drop-in visits. Everyone would be welcome.

As part of this project we’d also upgrade Cliff Road, which leads to the top of the site.

Council would fund the roading upgrade ($2.1 of $4.3M) as well as contribute $9.8M to the project. Rangitāne would fund $2M, and the remaining $3M would be funded through an external partnership.

The assumption we’ve made in our draft long-term plan is that in Year 1 and Year 2 we will be working on the detailed design. This is primarily funded from existing government funding we've received. We’d begin looking for co-funding during this time, but having the detailed design will provide further information potential co-funders will be interested in closer to construction.

Construction would not happen until external funding and Rangitāne’s funding is confirmed. Our plan has construction scheduled between 2025 and 2027 but those dates may change, subject to when funding is confirmed.

Read more about the park and its significance for Rangitāne. 

Check out the options and have your say