Restored lion war memorial unveiled and blessed in Whanganui

The cleaned and restored Whanganui Lion Monument has been returned and blessed. Photo/Supplied

The sun came out as Whanganui's Lion Monument on the Veterans' Steps, Queen's Park, was unveiled and blessed yesterday.

During the past four months, the statue has been cleaned and refurbished in a project undertaken by Lime Works and Scafit Ltd and overseen by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

"This significant monument was in memory of Imperial and colonial troops who died in the New Zealand Wars in the district and in particular the battles of Te Ngutu o Te Manu and Nukumaru," said Brodie Stubbs, memorials and taonga manager for Manatū Taonga.

The Friday morning ceremony marked the return of the statue which was sculpted by Whanganui artist George Sheriff and first unveiled in 1893.

Tupoho Kaumātua John Maihi began the ceremony with a karakia and was followed by speakers Archdeacon Bernard Broughton, Reverend Stephan van Os, Mayor Hamish McDowell, Brodie Stubbs and Kyle Dalton for Wanganui RSA.

The monument also marks the graves of 17 men of the 18th and 50th Regiments killed at the Battle of Nukumaru on 25 January 1865 who are buried nearby.

The soldiers were British and McDowell said some of them would have had children born in New Zealand and living descendants here.

"The monument is a special thing that lies at the heart of our city," he said.

"I also want to acknowledge those who did the mahi to restore this work."

Dalton said it is very appropriate that the monument rests on the Veterans' Steps.

"Just as our own kin who died in battle overseas are looked after by the people in those countries, we look after those who died here.

The blessing was intended to honour all those who took part in the wars and respect the context in which the battles occurred.

"The monument was the first example in New Zealand of a sculptured lion, representative of departed British heroes," said Stubbs.

The names of the soldiers are listed on panels set in the alcove behind the Lion which is
one of 83 national monuments and historic gravesites throughout New Zealand for which Manatū Taonga is responsible.