Didn’t William Wakefield dream of an inland harbor? This memorial stands as a testament to a man whose vision helped shape Wellington. The William Wakefield Memorial commemorates Colonel William Wakefield. He was the first leader of the Wellington settlement in 1840. He was also a key official in the New Zealand Company. Wakefield was a significant figure in the European colonization of Wellington and New Zealand.
Imagine Wellington in its early days. Wakefield arrived in 1839. He negotiated land purchases from Maori. He also helped lay out the new settlement. When he died in 1848, the community mourned. Shops closed to commemorate his passing. A meeting at the Aurora Tavern led to a decision. They would erect a monument to his memory. A committee of Wellington’s influential men was formed to raise funds.
Initially, in December 1849, they considered a clock tower. The idea was that the memorial should be a permanent object of public utility. This idea was discarded. It wasn’t until 1862 that a memorial was ordered. Details about its designer and constructor remain unknown. It is believed the William Wakefield Memorial was purchased from England. It arrived in New Zealand in 1863. For a time, it sat in George Hunter’s yard. Later it was in council storage.
Finally, in March 1882, Councillor Thomas McKenzie proposed a permanent space. The Wellington City Corporation sought a report from the City Surveyor. In the interim, it was displayed in the Wellington City Corporation yard. The Public Works Committee chose the Basin Reserve. In 1882, it was placed on a small mound on the eastern side. Four years later, Thomas McKenzie raised money for a drinking fountain. Ironmonger Mr Dawson built it.
The William Wakefield Memorial is an unusual structure. It is a Victorian interpretation of Classical architecture. The Grecian temple form makes it simple but attractive. Most memorials in Wellington are statues or obelisks. Prefabricated monuments are rare in New Zealand. The cast iron elements add to its significance.
In 1917, renovations led to its relocation to Dufferin Street. It was outside the grounds. Over time, the memorial deteriorated. Reports in newspapers showed neglect. By 1948, columns were rusting. The dome was in disrepair. Vandalism worsened the condition by the mid 1960s.
Restoration efforts began in 1974. The Founders Society donated a plaque. Sandblasting and repainting were completed. The non-working water fountain was removed. In 2005, another restoration addressed cracks and missing elements. The Founders Society Plaque was missing again. The concrete base needed repair. The Wellington City Council carried out a restoration to remedy these defects and structural issues. Some heritage fabric was lost. However, the majority was retained.
Today, the William Wakefield Memorial remains significant. It’s the oldest known memorial to a European settler in Wellington. It provides a link to New Zealand’s colonization. It is an important element of the Basin Reserve. The William Wakefield Memorial is the oldest surviving structure in the complex. Its presence reminds us of Wellington’s early days. It reminds us of William Wakefield’s role in shaping the city we know today. It is a distinctive structure and has great recognition since the installation of new traffic lights below the Mt Victoria Tunnel.