The tears of Nga Rauru's elders flowed freely yesterday as the statue of one of their ancestors was returned to the World War I monument at Pakaitore/Moutoa Gardens.
The marble statue of Waitotara soldier Herewini Whakarua, who was killed in battle in January 1918, was placed on top of the monument which has been restored over the past two years. The statue was brought from the Sarjeant Gallery to the gardens, to be greeted by a small crowd of Whakarua's descendants, local iwi, and Sarjeant Gallery staff.
After a brief karakia and ceremony, workers from Goldfield Stone who carried out the restoration work prepared the statue to be hoisted by crane on to the top of the monument.
Whakarua's statue was removed from the top of the monument in March 2013 because of safety concerns.
The monument was cracked and crumbling, and the statue was in danger of falling.