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King George V / Te Arawa memorial

Sandringham House, Norfolk 1865 - Sandringham House, Norfolk 1936
King of Great-Britain, 1910-1936
(Wikipedia)

William H. Feldon
1927

Rotorua / King George V / Te Arawa memorial

Description

Stone statue of George V on a pedestal with several reliefs and texts in three levels.

At the top four reliefs with historical scenes, circumscribed with Signed: twice the text: te arawa | e waru | pu manawa.

(click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)

Te Kuraimonoa, a woman of great beauty, who lived in Hawaiki, awaiting her celestial lover Puhaorangi. It is from the union of these two that the Arawa people trace their descent. Above her Rehua, the star that guided them on their epic journey from Hawaiki.
The Rev. Thomas Chapman preaching. Chapman was the first missionary among the Arawa people, and had missions at Koutu, Mokoia and Te Ngae.
Traditional Maori war weapons
Governor William Hobson signing the Treaty of Waitangi, being watched by Tupara Tanira, reputed to be the only Arawa chief who signed the treaty.

The central part shows at the front busts of Edward VII, Victoria, and George V (with their initials E.R., V.R., and G.R), on both sides crosses and at the back figures of a Red Cross nurse and soldiers of the navy and army.

At the lower part:

At the front side two name lists, the Maori Regimental Badge (showing two weapons, the taiaha and tewhatewha, crossed under the crown and the words Te Hokowhitu a Tu, the name of the war party of Tu Matauengaa god of war) and the texts:

UNVEILED
– BY –
H.R.H. THE
DUKE OF YORK
28-2-1927.

ERECTED
by the
ARAWA TRIBES
in perpetual
remembrance
of their sons
who in the
GREAT WAR
loyally upheld
the cause of
their god,
their country,
and their king.
1914-1919.

At the monument's base is carved the Arawa canoe, which arrived at Maketu about generations ago. The text is te upoko | i takaia ki | te akatea

Information Sign

This distinctive memorial was erected to commemorate the sons of the Arawa people who fought and died in World War I. The sculpture, created by W.H. Feldon, was unveiled in February 1927 by the Duke of York (later King George VI). Words, pictures and symbols tell the story of the arrival of the Arawa waka (ancestral canoe) at Maketu, and the 'voyage' of the Arawa people to the 20th century. The memorial was once ringed with carvings of Rangitihi, who is remembered as the father of the people of the Lakes District, and his eight children.

Memorial - list of names

We have photos of the list(s) of the names on this memorial. Contact us if you want to see these lists. (contact form)

Sculptor

William Henry Feldon (1872-1945), British sculptor, who came in 1910 to New Zealand.

Locatie (S 38°8'5" - E 176°15'30") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: nz015; Photograph: 5 February 2008
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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