Indian stone to be used to construct war memorial in New Zealand

MELBOURNE: Sandstone from India would be used to construct a $5 million war memorial in New Zealand to focus and represent the major historical events and themes that have linked the country with Australia in peace and war.

The monument will be built in Wellington as part of the 100th anniversary ANZAC commemorations next year, media reports said.

ANZAC Day is the national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand to commemorate those killed in war as well as honouring retired servicemen and women.

There were initially two Australian sites -Australian region of Northern Territory town of Alice Springs and the remote community of Hermannsburg - considered for bringing the stone which proved unviable for budgetary reasons.

Department of Veterans Affairs in Australia said the stone of the monument would be now imported from Agra.

The department said using stone from Australia also proved unviable for technical and aesthetic requirements.

The monument will be "instantly recognisable as an image of the Australian 'Red Centre' and the design which was selected for the site is constructed of 15 columns, each six metres tall.