In love and war; Hamilton War Memorial Park

The Hamilton War Memorial park is a place to remember and to learn about the history of New Zealand’s Wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. The memorial is popular amongst the Hamilton locals, as the annual ANZAC parade is held there, but for this individual, her time spent here is enjoyed with fond memories of the past.

Located in east Hamilton, neighbouring the Waikato River, the memorial holds an annual ANZAC parade to commemorate the lives and memories of our fallen soldiers that valiantly fought for our country and respectable allies in time of need.

Amongst the public city parade, lies a small and personal story for Maxine Smith. The park area became a special location for Maxine during the last 19 years after her husband passed away. Maxine organised for a chair to be placed in the location in which Harry Smith had favoured the most, the ANZAC Parade Memorial Park. 

Maxine requested a place for her beloved husband to rest, to give the gift of remembrance in a place where he spent a lot of his free time. The process of getting a chair located was not easy, according to Maxine. She recalls the trouble they ran into in the beginning, when the council had begun to build the seat, as it had been interfered with. Bricks had been thrown into the river and the site had been completely vandalised. The specific location in which the chair was meant to be positioned was no longer safe at that point, resulting in the family having to reconsider its placement, finalising on positioning it on the opposite end of the park.

Harry enjoyed walking along the riverside trail in his free time and would often invite Maxine along. He appreciated the peaceful environment and the history behind the place he called home, and would often escape to the park in times of hardship, celebration and relaxation.

“Sometimes he would invite me along and when he would, I would know that meant he was in a very good mood.”

Maxine fondly reminisces about the time they spent together and how the location brings back memories of their lives together. As Maxine states, “I feel connected to him when I visit, you remember lots of things, begin to ponder [and] think about the time we spent together”. Harry’s family visits his chair frequently as a way of remembering his precious life, though Maxine visits quite often by herself. This place for her means life and love, as well as reflection and serenity.