She said the consultation was not about tick-boxing designs, but giving the community examples of what the memorial could look like.
Councillor Api Tapine also spoke in support.
"In my perspective this has been a very muddy process.
"What sits before me now is a third option which has been developed by our community of interest."
He said that is what community engagement is all about.
Deputy Mayor Faye White spoke against the proposal, saying the decision today was about tidying up the resolution made on June 29.
"The public want us to see this project completed.
"We owe it to them to stop changing our minds and swaying to pressure.
"Should we be giving one person in our community favour over a whole lot of other people?"
Wise in right of reply said current design concepts were simply an example of what the memorial could look like, and through the consultation process the options could change through community input.
"I don't believe we are giving anyone any favour."
She said because the third option had already been designed, council would be able to move forward to the consultation process.
"There will not be significant delays at all, holding us back from moving forward."
The third option voted in yesterday is an indoor proposal, using a space currently used as storage in the Napier Conference Centre located on the memorial site.
The other two designs are both outdoor options, one a fully outdoor option while the other would see a building built externally to the current centre.
All three options are examples of what the final option could be, with the consultation process allowing for changes based on community input.
Council orginially passed a motion on June 29 with for three designs to go to public consultation. However, one of the designers withdrew their options, meaning only two designs were planned for consultation. Morley's design will replace that option as an indoor example.
