Statue of John Fane Charles Hamilton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of John Fane Charles Hamilton |
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The statue in 2017
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| Artist | Margriet Windhausen |
| Year | 2013 |
| Medium | Bronze sculpture |
| Subject | John Fane Charles Hamilton |
| Location | Hamilton, New Zealand |
A bronze statue of John Fane Charles Hamilton stood in Hamilton, New Zealand, for seven years. The city of Hamilton was named after him. He was a British naval officer. He died during a conflict over Māori land. This happened at the Battle of Gate Pā. The statue was taken down in 2020.
The statue was life-sized. It was made by the artist Margriet Windhausen. The Gallagher Group gave the statue to Hamilton City in 2013. This gift celebrated their 75 years in business.
Why the Statue Was Removed
Discussions and Protests
In 2017, Sir William Gallagher, who was the CEO of the company that donated the statue, gave a speech. In his speech, he shared his views on the Treaty of Waitangi. This treaty is a very important agreement in New Zealand's history. Some people disagreed with his views. About a dozen directors left the speech to show their disagreement.
In June 2020, there were many protests happening around the world. These protests were about fairness and equality. Before one of these protests in New Zealand, people started talking about the statue of Captain Hamilton.
Community Request and Removal
The City Council of Hamilton discussed the statue. They talked with John Gallagher, Sir William's brother. The Waikato Tainui, a group of Māori tribes, asked for the statue to be removed. They felt the statue did not represent their history or values.
After these discussions, the City Council decided to remove the statue. On June 12, 2020, the statue of Captain Hamilton was taken down. This decision reflected a growing understanding of different historical viewpoints.
