| Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park | |
| Landmark in Auckland | |
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| General Info | |
| Coordinates: | 36.8484° S, 174.8263° E |
| Completed: | 1942 |
| Address: | Hapimana Street, Orakei, Auckland |
| Opening hours: | 6:30 am - 9:30 pm |
| Architect(s): | Anthony Bartlett, Tibor Donner |
The Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park, situated in the Auckland suburb of Orakei, is a landmark and public garden dedicated to New Zealand's first Labour PM, Michael Joseph Savage.
History[]
The grounds are located on the historical Bastion Point, at the site of a former coastal fortification built around 1885 as a response to the 'Russian scares' that year.
The memorial came to existence as a result of a design competition launched in February 1941 by the Labour government. Local architects Tibor Donner and Anthony Bartlett, the winners of the competition, thus were responsible for the layout and design of the park. Construction began in June 1941, by the Fletcher Construction company, and was finished in March of 1942.
Savage was subsequently entombed in the mausoleum 2 years after his death in 1940.
Description[]
Located on a hill overlooking both the city skyline and the Waitemata Harbour, it provides beautiful views of the city and is a popular tourist attraction for both international visitors and locals. The grounds are centered around a large sunken garden, which are adorned with hedges and seasonal flowers. There is also a large reflecting pool located in the center of the garden. The main feature is the obelisk tower, which houses the mausoleum and can be accessed by stairs. From behind the obelisk, one can catch a good viewpoint of Rangitoto island.