New Zealand Memorial

The New Zealand Memorial is an obelisk made from pink-grey Cornish granite, standing near the Thames in Greenwich. Its base features detailed chain and rope mouldings that emphasize the maritime heritage of the area.

The monument was built in 1872 to honor 21 British Royal Navy officers and sailors who died in the New Zealand War of 1863-1864. This conflict marked one of the defining moments in British colonial military history.

The names carved into the obelisk come from five different naval vessels, arranged by military rank rather than alphabetically. This ordering reflects how the nation thought about its fallen sailors at the time.

The memorial stands east of the Cutty Sark near the Royal Naval College, making it easily accessible on foot. Visitors can find it in the open riverside area and include it naturally in their walk around Greenwich.

One of the officers commemorated here, Captain John Fane Charles Hamilton, had his name given to the New Zealand city of Hamilton. This naming choice created an unexpected connection between this riverside memorial and a distant city across the ocean.

Location: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Inception: 1874

Made from material: granite

Part of: list of public art in Greenwich

GPS coordinates: 51.48330,-0.00910

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:03