‘‘This stone is an important part of Dunedin's heritage,'' Mr Turner said.
The memorial is to be unveiled with an official ceremony, attended by New Zealand's Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson, the British High Commissioner and city dignitaries on December 19.
The memorial is the brainchild of Dunedin man Nigel McPherson, whose mid-shipman brother Brian was killed in the sinking, and Central Otago man Royden Thomson, whose father Paymaster Lieutenant Bruce Thomson was also killed in the minefield disaster, which claimed 764 men - 150 of them New Zealanders.
People interested in finding out about relatives or friends who may have been involved in the HMS Neptune should contact Nigel McPherson in Dunedin on (03) 476-1109 or Royden Thomson in Central Otago on (03) 445-0025, or by sending email to n-rmcpherson@xtra.co.nz or thomcrom@xtra.co.nz
