Statue of John Fane Charles Hamilton

A bronze statue of Captain John Fane Charles Hamilton was installed for seven years, in Hamilton, New Zealand, from in 2013[1] until removal in June 2020.[2] The settlement of Hamilton (now a city) was named after Captain Hamilton,[3] a Royal Navy officer who was killed in action during the Battle of Gate Pā.

Statue of John Fane Charles Hamilton
The statue in 2017
ArtistMargriet Windhausen
Year2013 (2013)
MediumBronze sculpture
SubjectJohn Fane Charles Hamilton
LocationHamilton, New Zealand

History

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The life-size statue by Margriet Windhausen was gifted to Hamilton City by the Gallagher Group in 2013 "to celebrate 75 years in business".[4][5]

Removal

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Garden Place former site of Hamilton statue

In 2017, the donor's CEO, Sir William Gallagher,[6] gave an Institute of Directors speech describing the Treaty of Waitangi as a fraud and denied it involved a partnership between Māori and the Crown.[7] About a dozen directors walked out of the speech in protest.[8]

The statue was defaced with red paint[9] in August 2018 by the activist Taitumu Maipi.[10]

In June 2020, ahead of a George Floyd protest in the US, the Hamilton City Council discussed the statue[11] with Sir William's brother and fellow director, John Gallagher,[12] then slated it for removal, after a request by Māori tribal confederation Waikato Tainui.[13][14]

On 12 June 2020, the Hamilton City Council removed the statue of Captain Hamilton.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "City of Hamilton in New Zealand removes statue of British naval captain". the Guardian. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Bye Hamilton, hello Kirikiriroa? City mulls name change after statue's removal". Newshub. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  3. ^ "City Info, Hamilton City Council & Hamilton, New Zealand – Living Hamilton". 20 February 2012. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Catalogue showcases city's public art collection". Waikato Museum. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  5. ^ McCauley, Debbie (2012). "John Fane Charles Hamilton (1820–1864)". Tauranga Memories Kete: Battles of Gate Pa & Te Ranga (1864). Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Sir William Gallagher – Gallagher". Gallagher Group Limited. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  7. ^ Hamilton, Scott (28 November 2017). "Treaty of Waitangi denialism: a long, dark and absurd history". The Spinoff. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Sir William Gallagher claims Treaty of Waitangi cover-up". Stuff. 26 November 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  9. ^ "Captain Hamilton statue vandalised in Hamilton's main square". Stuff. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  10. ^ Rolleston, Te Aorewa (29 June 2023). "Granddaughter of Hamilton statue activist to contest Hauraki-Waikato seat". Stuff. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Controversial statue of Captain John Hamilton has been removed". RNZ. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Businessmen Brothers Honoured". Gallagher Group Limited. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  13. ^ Neilson, Michael (11 June 2020). "George Floyd protests: Hamilton City Council to remove controversial statue". NZ Herald. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Controversial statue of Captain John Hamilton has been removed". Radio New Zealand. 12 June 2020.
  15. ^ "Winston Peters unimpressed with outcry over colonial statues". Radio New Zealand. 12 June 2020.