How Memorial Park got its name

The eleven hectares bounded by Eleventh Ave and Seventh Ave, Devonport Road and Tauranga Harbour are well known in Tauranga. The water fountain, swimming pools, often embattled Humpty Dumpty, cenotaph, and miniature railway evoke both nostalgia among older generations and enjoyment amongst younger. The area originally included the Hawaiki Gardens of local Māori and since that time has hosted local market gardens, campgrounds, tennis courts, bowling clubs, rugby fields, public baths, and a "sound shell" for public performances and events. To get to its current size, the council had to purchase several private and company properties. Changes in identity were to be part of that development.  

Memorial Park as represented by Google Earth using February 2022 data

As the centenary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi approached, the area began to be referred to as Centennial Park, a name that continued throughout the 1940s. 

In 1947, the central government formally put out a suggestion that local governments, including that of Tauranga, considered too good an offer to refuse. Here's a letter from the Department of Internal Affairs to the Town Clerk (a position akin to the current Chief Executive of the council).

(From TCC Council file 462, Miscellaneous Record pertaining to Parks and Gardens, 1943-1950)

Such an offer wasn't out of the blue, the notion had been talked about before. It was very much in keeping with the wishes of the war generation to have memorials that were useful, and of benefit to the community. For the local authorities, it was a marvellous opportunity but one that meant pivoting away from commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and toward remembering the war dead instead. For Tauranga in the 1950s, it was an easy sell, especially given how generous the subsidy on offer was. From MIA advice regarding actual applications, the following rates are outlined.

(From TCC Council file 463, Miscellaneous Record pertaining to Parks and Gardens, 1950-1951)

Despite the offer, the area was regularly referred to as Centennial Park throughout the 1940s. Tellingly, the council file for Miscellaneous records pertaining to Parks and Gardens was identified as Centennial Park & Jordon Park as late as September 1950, before being retrospectively renamed Memorial Park. 

(Cover sheet to TCC Council file 462, Miscellaneous Record pertaining to Parks and Gardens, 1943-1950)

The Council received official approval to receive the subsidy in April of 1950.