A GARDEN created in memory of New Zealanders who died in the Second World War has been remembered on the other side of the world.

Some 23 airmen from New Zealand are buried in the Stonefall Cemetery in Harrogate and in the 1950s a special garden was created in their honour in the town’s Valley Gardens.

On Thursday it will be rededicated and will receive a traditional Maori blessing from a delegation that has flown over specially for the ceremony.

Following growing links between Wellington, New Zealand, and Harrogate, the two authorities entered into a formal sister-city relationship in 1978.

And the former is presenting the North Yorkshire town with an historic Maori pou whenua - similar to a totem pole - which is to be given pride of place in the garden, which has now been restored and replanted.

Head of parks and open spaces Patrick Kilburn said many people had made the restoration possible but the most important was local man Kenneth Broadwith, who died last year.

"He left a substantial bequest specifically for work to be carried out in the Valley Gardens, which were very special to him and his family. It is not often that we get such legacies but we can see by this restoration how important they are," he said.

"We are also extremely grateful to the people of Wellington for their generous donation which is truly going to let everyone know that they are looking at a very special garden."

The rededication and blessing ceremony will get underway at 4pm.