Having been housed in a council depot since the development, the items are now a step closer to returning to the public view as outlined in three concepts, created by Citrus Studio architect Brent Scott in consultation with the Working Group.
Unlike their former home, all three options would ensure the memorial was accessible by the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each option envisioned the Roll of Honour being inscribed on "vertical elements" with the Eternal Flame at height.
Locating the memorial in the place of the Floral Clock was the preference of the working group, Napier mayor Bill Dalton and the hall's original architect, Guy Natusch.
Mr Natusch - who was one of the first to speak out about the removal - had suggested this concept early on.
The Floral Clock - which was gifted to Napier by A.B Hurst - would be relocated to the Sunken Gardens. The Hurst family had been consulted and had agreed with this.
The most "ambitious and largest scale" concept was developing the memorial near the Marine Parade gardens, looking out toward the Napier viewing platform.
This would be visible from Tennyson St, with a pathway created through the lawn to access this area, and would provide plenty of space for Anzac Day services with the cenotaph relocated from Memorial Square.
The final option would be where the sun dial is now, in between the lawn and skating rink leading to the Sound Shell.
This would lead visitors out to the waterfront or towards the CBD, and trees would provide a "canopy and a frame" for the memorial.
Yesterday Mr Dalton said the concepts needed to provide "a powerful and peaceful place to reflect - a place with mana, and a place to feel inspired".
"War memorials can take many forms, but common to them all is that they remind us of what we have lost to war and allow us to remember. Each of these early designs has advantages, and each provides a sense of history, meaning and gravitas," he said.
"Additionally, all are accessible at all times to the public, to our veterans and to the descendants of our soldiers, and that's important."
As well as reinstating the items near their original home, the Napier City Council has floated the idea of returning the centre's original name to it - by renaming the large hall inside the "War Memorial Hall".
The council had agreed to change the name of the building last year to avoid confusion with potential clients over the centre's purpose.
Mr Natusch said if the hall were renamed, and the war memorial items were accommodated at the Floral Clock, "I would feel that the memorial components were adequately restored and able to be read together, rather than separately.
"What matters now is how the visual connection to the Conference Centre is established, and how the community and the council are able to work together to create a serene and compelling space, accessible by all and at all times by those who wish to reflect."
He added that the chosen concept needed to be reviewed to ensure it complied with heritage elements.
Whatever concept was chosen, it was hoped to be completed by Anzac Day next April. Although $50,000 had been set aside, a council spokeswoman said "some sites are more complex than others and may cost more".
Members of the community have been encouraged to provide feedback on the proposals in several ways, including through a public meeting next month.
This will be at the MTG Century Theatre at 5.30pm on Tuesday August 1, with each of the three war memorial options debated and discussed.
- Provide feedback at napier.govt.nz/our-council/consultations/have-your-say/napier-war-memorial/
