Cheers as statue removed
Cheers rang out around Hamilton’s Civic Square as a colonial statue was removed after a formal request and a pledge to tear it down.
But while some Waikato residents were happy to see him go, others thought the statue was part of the region’s history and should stay.
Before the removal, Huntly kaumatua Taitimu Maipi told Stuff he intended to tear down the bronze during a protest march today.
‘‘I went up to my tribe [on Thursday] and told them I’m taking the statue out, I left my name at Hamilton City Council and said, I’m taking it out.’’
Resident James Macrum said he was happy to see the statue go, and was pleased he did not have to explain to his children who this person was any more. I felt a big weight come off my shoulders,’’ he told Stuff as the statue came down about 10.50am yesterday. ‘‘It’s a great symbol of moving forward.’’ However, Julie McMillan thought it should stay as it was part of history.
‘‘How many people actually sit there and study this ornament? It’s part of our past, it should be a reminder ... a reminder not to go there again.’’
The statue of Captain John Fane Charles Hamilton, who the city is named after, was gifted to Hamilton by the Gallagher Group in 2013.
According to the council’s communications department, it has now gone to a ‘‘secure, undisclosed location until a decision on its future is determined’’.
In a statement, council Chief Executive Richard Briggs said the decision to remove the statue was made following a request from Waikato-Tainui.
It had also become clear the statue was likely to be vandalised.
‘‘We know this statue is contentious for a number of our community members. It is the right thing for the council to take the opportunity to look at the long-term plan for this artwork and determine where and how it might fit in to the city’s future.’’
There were also public safety concerns for the car park below, he said.
Briggs said the removal would be the start of wider discussions with key city stakeholders. It was not about erasing history but instead understanding the wider context behind it.
‘‘We have been working collaboratively with Waikato-Tainui for more than 12 months on a project to review culturally sensitive place names and sites. We understand this work is vitally important in raising awareness to cultural harm which has taken place.
‘‘What I can say is the council is absolutely committed to finding an amicable long-term solution for Waikato-Tainui, the Gallagher family and the wider Hamilton community.’’
Mayor Paula Southgate agrees now is the right time to discuss the future of the Hamilton statue.
‘‘I know many people – in fact a growing number of people – find the statue personally and culturally offensive.
‘‘We can’t ignore what is happening all over the world and nor should we. At a time when we are trying to build tolerance and understanding between cultures and in the community, I don’t think the statue helps us to bridge those gaps.
‘‘While I appreciate the statue was gifted to the city before my time on council, we need to think about its role and potential location in the city.’’
Southgate said civic square is not the right location.
‘‘I initially raised my concerns with John Gallagher in November of last year and have spoken to him again recently. He was very understanding and receptive to having this discussion.’’
When the Gallagher family knew there was a credible threat to the statue through the Black Lives Matter march, she said they agreed it should come out.
The life-size artwork of Captain Hamilton was created by Margriet Windhausen who is well known in Hamilton for another bronze sculpture, The Farming Family.