Christchurch's finalised earthquake memorial design is not the preferred option of victims' families and the severely injured, a report shows.
The Memorial Wall design. Photo: Supplied
The Ideas to Remember - Feedback on Designs for a Canterbury Earthquake Memorial report done for the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority shows 94 percent of victims' families and the severely injured preferred the 'Memorial Ribbon Wall'.
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee announced last month the 'Memorial Wall', by Slovenian architect Grega Vezjak, as the finalised design.
The report showed the 'Memorial Ribbon Wall' was considered the best performing option by the general public.
However the 'Memorial Wall' was a very close second, with slightly fewer positive and slightly
more negative responses - making it also a more polarising option than the 'Memorial Ribbon
Wall'.
The report also showed victims' families preferred the ribbon design.
"I think this design honours the people that died and that it feels to me a special place to
remember, my son who was lost in the CTV building," the parent of a victim, who was quoted in the report, said.
"This is my pick by a long shot."
Memorial Ribbon Wall Photo: CCDU
More than 330 designs from 37 countries were shortlisted to six last year, the shortlisted designs were then open to public consultation.
The feedback was presented to the Memorial Leadership Group which consists of the Christchurch Mayor, Ngai Tahu, Minister of Arts Culture and Heritage and the Earthquake Recovery Ministry who then made the final decision.
The 150-metre wall, winding along the curve of the Avon River in the central city, will be inscribed with the names of the 185 people who died in the earthquake, and will mention those who came to people's rescue on the day and those who were badly injured.
The $11 million memorial will be located on the banks of the Avon River, between Montreal Street and Rhododendron Island.
The memorial is expected to be complete in time for the sixth anniversary of the earthquake in February 2017.
