New Zealand World Peace Bell - Christchurch, New Zealand - Peace Memorials on Waymarking.com

"The Christchurch Botanic Gardens was chosen as the location for the New Zealand Peace Bell. Once the site was blessed by Ngai Tahu, a raised pavilion was constructed in 2005.

Like the other peace bells, the New Zealand World Peace Bell was cast from coins and medals from around the world and mixed with copper. The massive 365 kg bell is inscribed with the English 'World Peace Bell' and Japanese translation 'sekai heiwa no kane'.

The official unveiling took place in 2006 with a ceremony that involved the Christchurch mayor and the World Peace Bell Association founder ringing the bell together. At the unveiling in 2006, Ngai Tahu gifted Ira Atua Tane, a sculpted piece of pounamu/greenstone, which was placed in the reflection pond beneath the Bell.

In the same year, part of this pounamu - Ira Atua Wahine - was placed under Te Korowai Rangimarie/the Cloak of Peace sculpture gifted to the Nagasaki Peace Park by the New Zealand government and six city councils. Now every time the New Zealand World Peace Bell is rung, the pounamu resonates between the two countries.

The bell is a prominent icon when entering the Gardens from the daffodil woodlands. Blossom trees corner the pavilion and green lawns with mature exotic trees spread out around it. The pavilion is surrounded by pavers engraved with the word 'peace' in over 40 languages.

Near to the bell sits an attractive grove of Japanese maples (Acer palmatum), a fitting backdrop as maples symbolise peace, serenity and tolerance. A camphor tree is nearby, the seedling propagated from a camphor that survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and gifted to Christchurch by the Mayor of Nagasaki."

--Christchurch City Council (visit link)

Text on Monument/Memorial Sign or Plaque: The World Peace Bell is made from coins and medals donated by 103 countries of the world which have been mixed with copper and is a symbol of peace which gives an impression that the world is one. The aim of the Association is to install the World Peace Bell in capitals of various countries and ring the Bells in the entire world, so as to promote the mutual understanding which transcends national boundaries and make contribution to the cause of world peace. The World Peace Bell which stands in the courtyard of the United Nations headquarters in New York is rung annually by UN Secretary General in prayer for peace on the occasion of the opening of the UN General Assembly. Website about the Peace Monument/Memorial: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log   03/03/2021 lytteltonwitch visited it