Beheading of king’s statue ‘disrespectful’
A monarch in Matakana has been beheaded for the fourth time in 20 years, and this time the statue’s conservator is determined that heads will roll.
North Auckland’s Matakana War Memorial conservator, Adrienne Miller, said she was intending to sell the statue of King George V because ‘‘the village clearly couldn’t be trusted with it any more’’.
She said a vandal had climbed over the top of wreaths laid at the memorial just days ago during Anzac Day commemorations in order to decapitate the statue.
‘‘It’s mind-bogglingly disrespectful to climb over plaques for the dead to damage a memorial statue. It’s not just wilful damage, it is desecration of a sacred place,’’ Miller said.
Miller believed she had identified a young man responsible for the vandalism thanks to tips from the public, and had made a report to police. ‘‘We need a conviction to send a message so that this doesn’t happen again.’’
A police spokesperson said police were reviewing CCTV footage from the area.
Miller put a listing on social media this week that said: ‘‘102-year-old war memorial free to a good home. Somewhat battered and damaged after 40 years of damage and neglect.’’
‘‘Missing head, but can be reattached at your cost. Looks good Anzac Day. New location outside Rodney preferred. No longer suited to this village due to continued vandalism.’’
However, Auckland Council has offered to pay for the head to be replaced to ensure the statue’s continued presence in Matakana Village. Miller said a security system was also being discussed.
A council spokesperson said the cost of replacing the head was still being assessed. When the head was recovered and replaced in 2006 it cost the community $25,000 for an artist to make a new one out of Oamaru whitestone.