Two monuments to 'sexual predators and colonisers' could be scrapped in Wellington
Friday, 12 June 2020
Two monuments dedicated to a pair of colonial brothers are coming under fire in the debate over statues of controversial historical figures.
A bronze bust of Edward Wakefield stands at the northern peak of Mt Victoria, an oft-forgotten centennial memorial, exposed to the elements and whipped by harsh harbour winds.
A concrete structure built in honour of his brother, William Wakefield, sits near deep extra cover at the Basin Reserve, where it's best known for providing shady oasis on a hot day at the cricket.
The contrast is clear not just in their locations, but how they are remembered by history. The Wakefields are honoured as founding citizens of Wellington, whose leadership played a key role in establishing New Zealand.
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At the same time, they are remembered as colonisers, who scammed local Māori of their land. They were also both arrested for kidnapping 15-year-old heiress Ellen Turner and forcing her to marry Edward.
'These men were sexual predators and colonisers,' councillor Tamatha Paul said.
Councillor Jill Day said she was looking into what it would take to get the statues removed, and had a 'strong suspicion' the majority of council would agree.
Stuff asked each of the Wellington City Councillors whether the statues should stay or go.
Seven councillors said they wanted to see the statues removed, with two opposed. Eight votes are needed for a majority.
Nicola Young and Sean Rush opposed the idea, with Young saying: 'What's next after statues? Shakespeare? Opera?'
Councillors Sarah Free and Malcolm Sparrow wanted a wider debate before taking a stance.
Three councillors did not respond.
Mayor Andy Foster avoided taking a stance, saying he 'hadn't turned his mind to it' and was focused on other issues.
'I do not think it is right that we honour anyone for the act of abduction,' councillor Laurie Foon said, while councillor Teri O'Neill said Wellington should go even further and also change the 'awful' Wellington flag and coat of arms.
Hamilton City Council moved on Friday morning to remove a statue of Captain John Hamilton, a military commander at the Battle of Gate Pā, who led a colonial regiment in the fight against Māori.
It comes after a statue of British slave trader Edward Colston was toppled by protesters in Bristol, UK, and a number of confederate monuments in the United States have been taken down by both state authorities and protesters.
National Party Arts, Culture, and Heritage spokesperson Jonathan Young said the future of controversial statues should be decided by local communities.
'I don't think removing a statue is denying the past. We need to think about the emotion it creates … in my view it's got to be a dialogue that takes place.'
Associate Professor Ella Henry, Director of Māori advancement at AUT, believed colonial statues should stay.
'Both sets of histories have validity, the Māori history of NZ and the history of New Zealand since we became a colony. However, if you have states of people who have perpetuated negative impacts in our communities, then my view is alongside those should be the history from a Māori perspective.
'If we are going to glorify colonial heroes, I believe there is a responsibility to reflect the Māori view on that person.'
But that is a controversial view, and one Paul said, 'really grinds my gears'.
She was particularly concerned about monuments honouring George Grey, the New Zealand Premier who oversaw much of the Land Wars.
'I don't want to look at George Grey. My iwi was traumatised by him, I don't want to look at that. There are still living descendants of people who were raped, murdered, and slaughtered by these people. It’s not just a nice little history lesson.'