A bid to create a memorial for World War 1 conscientious objectors has hit a snag at one of the last hurdles.
As the Archibald Baxter Memorial Trust was preparing to announce the winning memorial design to be built in the Otago Museum Reserve, it was discovered a major partner in the project had partially withdrawn its support for the project.
Trust secretary Alan Jackson said the trust asked the World War 100 committee to support a funding application for the memorial project.
The committee is organising commemorative events to mark the centenary of New Zealand's participation in World War 1.
"We fully expected that they would lend their support in the joint application with Dunedin City Council, to get the memorial built,'' Mr Jackson said.
"But we heard through the mayor's office that the WW100 committee was not able to support the construction on the museum site. That was a real surprise to us.''
A letter to the trust from Dunedin Mayor and WW100 committee chairman Dave Cull showed the committee would support, in principle, the trust's desire to establish a memorial in Dunedin, but would not support it being located in the Museum Reserve.
World War 100 committee deputy chairman Roger McElwain said that was because the trust had not conducted official consultation with any of the interested parties, including the Otago Museum.
Museum board chairman Graham Crombie said the reserve land was too important to "haphazardly'' construct objects on.
"The museum reserve is a really high [pedestrian] traffic area. It's a throughput for university students going through; it's a key park for us. It's one of the few green spots in the area.
"We, as a board, believe the DCC, as the owner of the reserve, needs to stop and just look at what should go there.
"So, rather than putting things in there haphazardly, there should be a good thought process about it.''
He said the board did not have a view, one way or another, about the merits of the project.
Mr McElwain said there was much misconception about what the memorial was and how big it would be.
"The key thing at the moment is, there's a need for official consultation with the city, the Otago Museum board and the RSA, to establish the best location for the memorial.
"What the Mayor was trying to do with his letter, was represent all of the views of the various parties.
"There's not opposition to having the memorial in the reserve. It's just that official consultation has not occurred with all interested parties.''
Mr Jackson said the trust could not apply for funds for the memorial until the Dunedin City Council gave confirmation the reserve site could be used for the memorial.
"We couldn't possibly move an inch without the blessing from the DCC.
"At the end of the day, it's council land, it's a council reserve and it's the council that have got to make the decision.''
Mr Jackson said the trust had meetings with council urban design team leader Dr Glen Hazelton and recreation planning manager Jendi Paterson, and another meeting with Mr McElwain.
"We have a meeting with Mayor Dave Cull this Thursday morning and, after that, we are going to make a submission to a public forum with the Dunedin City Council's community and environment committee, chaired by Cr Jinty MacTavish on March 15.''
Following the meetings, he hoped the trust would have a clearer idea about the next step.
"I can't predict an outcome. There have been so many views over the past while.
"One thing is absolutely certain, there is no diminution of determination and commitment to build this memorial, and I am positive that it will happen.''
Mr Jackson said despite the "hiatus'', the trust had received a "very healthy'' $19,500 grant from the Peace and Education Disarmament Trust.
The Archibald Baxter Memorial aims to honour Mr Baxter and his companions in a reflective sculptural setting, offering visitors a chance to contemplate their sacrifice and consider alternatives to war.
