Work to strengthen the Carillon tower at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park is now underway.

The $9.5 million project to strengthen one of New Zealand’s most significant heritage buildings is described by Manatū Taonga (the Ministry of Culture and Heritage) as ‘complex’.

The Carillon Tower is the third heaviest carillon in the world, with 70 tonnes spread across 74 bells.

While scaffolding is in place, the work is mainly internal, the Ministry said in a newsletter update.

“Almost all the strengthening work is happening inside the Tower and will not be visible when complete. The work involves steel reinforcing and installing Fluid Viscous Dampers (FVD) at the top of the Tower with steel columns that run down the tower’s four corners. The FVDs are like a car’s shock absorbers and reduce the shaking of the building during an earthquake.  

“In addition to strengthening the Tower, the construction phase allows for important maintenance to happen in the Tower. The maintenance includes stonework, corrosion protection of the steel in the bell frames, new downpipes and patching roof leaks.”

Construction is projected to take 18 months from late April 2024, and the project is due to be finished towards the end of 2025.