New Lynn War Memorial Library (Māori: Te Pātaka Kōrero o Te Rewarewa)[2] is a public library located in New Lynn, West Auckland, New Zealand. Opening in 1956 as part of a planned community centre precinct and World War I memorial, the original library was demolished and redeveloped in 2005. Memorial Square at the entrance to the museum was redeveloped in 1998 to a design by landscape architect Megan Wraight. The square incorporates brick columns and a sunken waka sculpture, added in 2000 and designed by Te Kawerau ā Maki carvers Sunnah Thompson and Rewi Spraggon.
| New Lynn War Memorial Library | |
|---|---|
 The main entrance of New Lynn War Memorial Library, April 2022 | |
 | |
| 36°54′31″S 174°41′00″E / 36.9086°S 174.6834°E | |
| Standort | 3 Memorial Drive, New Lynn, Auckland[1], New Zealand |
| Typ | Public library |
| Established | 1956 |
| Branch of | Auckland Libraries |
| Collection | |
| Size | Floating |
History
.jpg)
The New Lynn Borough Council began planning a multi-purpose community centre in 1945,[3] which by 1947 had developed into a community centre and war memorial.[4] This centre was envisioned as a complex that would incorporate a public library, council chambers, a kindergarten and courts for sports.[5] Planned in 1954 by Gummer, Ford and Partners,[6] The first section of this community precinct was opened on 28 April 1956 with the construction of Plunket rooms (these were later relocated), followed by the library in May 1957.[5][7] The New Lynn War Memorial Cenotaph, a memorial to the 16 soldiers from New Lynn who died in World War I, was unveiled by Governor-General Charles Lyttelton, 10th Viscount Cobham on 25 April 1958.[8][7] The original design included a bronze triptych designed by Richard Gross,[7] and the memorial was originally known by the name Memorial Avenue.[6]
In 1963, further developments to the community centre were made after the opening of LynnMall, the first major American-style shopping centre in Auckland, adjacent to the library.[6] During this time, Memorial Avenue was renamed to Memorial Square.[6] The square was redeveloped in 1974 as a paved facility, that incorporated drinking fountains, seats, trees and an artistic rock mound.[6][5] Further changed to the square were made in 1984.[6]
Memorial Square redevelopment
Memorial Square was redeveloped in the late 1990s, rededicated on 11 November 1998, based on a plan by landscape architect Megan Wraight.[6][5] The square's new design incorporates s grid of brick pillars, intended by Wraight to represent soldiers in drill formation, and as a reflection of the brick industry of New Lynn.[5][6] Water runs down pillars intending to symbolise tears shed by loved ones of the soldiers.[5] Richard Gross' bronze plates from the original cenotaph were dismantled, and incorporated into the brick pillars.[5] The brick pillars also act as stakes for red and white roses, which grow on the pillars.[6]
On ANZAC Day 2000, additional sculptures were added to Memorial Square. Created by Te Kawerau ā Maki carvers Sunnah Thompson and Rewi Spraggon, the artwork represents a sunken waka pointing north, with tōtara inserts marking a diagonal line across the square.[5][6] Two sculptures represent the prow and bow of the waka. The prow is a kauri carving set on stainless steel, while the bow sculpture is a stylised stainless steel structure.[5][6]
On 20 April 2001, Frank Hitchcock and Bruce Russell, two former prisoners of war, unveiled a brass plaque dedicated to 33 local soldiers who had died during World War II and the Korean War.[5]
Library redevelopment
Plans for a new library building began in 2003,[6] as a part of the New Lynn revitalisation project, coinciding with the redevelopment of the New Lynn railway station.[1] The new building was designed by architecture firm Craig Craig & Moller,[1][8] and was opened on 18 October 2005.[7]
The new building was steel, concrete and brick two-storey building, designed under the Waitakere City Better Building Code.[8] The new building incorporates artworks by Iona Mathieson, Sue Bridges, Te Warena Taua, Graeme Gash, Danny Rollinson and Philippa Crane,[8] and has a permanent exhibition to the New Lynn ceramics industry.[9]
In 2013, the Merchant Quarter residential and commercial development opened to the south of the library. During this period, the poppy wall on the library was relocated to the New Lynn RSA.[10]
Functions
The New Lynn War Memorial Library building houses the library, a branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau, and an information technology learning centre.[8]
Reception
The 2005 library building won a NZIA Auckland Branch Award in 2006.[11] The library's community-focused design has been praised by sculptor John Edgar.[8]
References
- ^ a b c "Five of the best: Public libraries". The New Zealand Herald. 14 May 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "New Lynn War Memorial Library". Auckland Libraries. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Municipal Centre". Auckland Star. Vol. LXXVI, no. 234. 3 October 1945. p. 7 – via Papers Past.
- ^ Dragicevich, Peter (24 April 2022). "New Zealand history: Anzac memorials throughout Auckland". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "New Lynn Memorial Library and Square". Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l New Lynn Reserved Management Plan 2004 (Report). Waitakere City Council. 2004. pp. 81–83.
- ^ a b c d Ringer, Bruce (22 June 2015). "Auckland Libraries' war memorial libraries". Auckland Libraries. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Edgar, John (14 January 2010). "Built without pretension, to perfection". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "The woman who read Auckland: Janet McAllister visits New Lynn Library". The New Zealand Herald. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Skelton, Carolyn (2016). A Brief History of New Lynn: A West Auckland suburb. Auckland Libraries West Auckland Research Centre, Whau Local Board. p. 64.
- ^ "New Lynn War Memorial Library". Moller Architects. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
External links
Category:2000s architecture in New Zealand Category:Libraries in Auckland Category:Libraries established in 1956 Category:Whau Local Board Area Category:World War I memorials in New Zealand