“Farewell, absence and longing.” These are the themes artist Maureen Lander explored when creating the artwork now known as The Farewell Statue. The Farewell Statue stands as a poignant reminder of New Zealand’s history. It serves as a memorial to those who served in the New Zealand Wars.
The New Zealand Wars Memorial, also known as The Farewell Statue, has a history marked by both honor and controversy. The Victoria League commissioned the statue. The statue intended to commemorate imperial and Māori troops allied with British forces. Edith Statham, the League’s secretary, championed the project. She saw it as a way to promote the British Empire.
The Auckland city council offered Wakefield Street Reserve as the site for The Farewell Statue in 1911. Its proximity to the Sir George Grey Statue and Symonds Street Cemetery made it an ideal location. Initially, John Park won a competition to design the statue. But his design was deemed not conspicuous enough.
British sculptor Thomas Eyre Macklin’s proposal won the second competition. Macklin’s design featured a stone obelisk. A draped female figure offered a palm to those who died for the Empire.
Macklin completed the bronze castings by 1915. World War One delayed their delivery to Auckland until 1917. W. Parkinson & Co constructed the obelisk.
The memorial was unveiled on August 18, 1920. Veterans of the New Zealand Wars were present. The President of the Victoria League handed the memorial to Auckland’s Mayor.
The inscription on the obelisk reads: “In memory of the brave men belonging to the imperial and colonial forces, and the friendly Maoris, who gave their lives for the country during the New Zealand Wars, 1845-1872. Through the war they won the peace we know.”
The statue depicts two bronze plaques. One plaque depicts a Pākehā male shaking hands with a Māori male within an angel’s wing. The other plaque depicts the old New Zealand coat of arms.
The statue of Zealandia is a bronze-cast female figure. Her left hand holds a New Zealand flag. Her right hand extends outward, originally holding a palm branch.
The inscription on The Farewell Statue sparked criticism. Some felt it ignored later conflicts in the New Zealand Wars. A New Zealand Wars veteran criticized the statue for lacking an inscription in Te reo Māori.
Over the years, attitudes towards empire changed. The memorial’s inscription became offensive to some Māori. The statue became a site of protest. It was vandalized during the 1981 Springbok Tour Protest. The Zealandia figurine was decapitated. The council removed the statue. It was reinstated in 2004 with a new head sculpted by Roderick Burgess.
In 2018, an anti-colonial group vandalized the statue again. They spray-painted the obelisk and attached an axe to the statue’s head.
Today, The Farewell Statue remains a focal point for discussions about New Zealand’s colonial past. The Farewell Statue prompts reflection on the complexities of history. It encourages dialogue about cultural sensitivity. The Farewell Statue symbolizes remembrance and reconciliation. It stands as a reminder of the past. It also symbolizes the ongoing journey toward a more inclusive future.
The Farewell Statue’s image of a light path over water multiplies the crosses. The crosses multiply first to 70, then to 140. The image embodies the weaving of emotions and humanity. It stands as a symbol of loss, grief, creation, and hope.