The statue, Ōwairaka at Alice Wylie Reserve has been replaced due to severe vandalism.
Standing more central and visibly in the park is a new sculpture, replicating the original Ōwairaka. The 3.6 metre statue is made of 1200kg of metal and patinated in blue patina on the botanical side and a black patina for the volcanic side as per the original.
Albert-Eden Local Board chair Kendyl Smith was moved by the story behind the sculpture.
“It’s an incredible monument and it is a privilege to be part of this heritage which celebrates the path that enabled women to be elected,” she says.
The bronze statue of a cloaked woman was first installed in 1994 to commemorate women of Mount Albert’s past and present who have settled in the area, raised families and helped shape the area.
Women of Mount Albert were invited to contribute $1 for every year they had lived in the area to fund the statue and the balance was paid for by Mount Albert Community Board.
In May 2022, the nearly 30-year-old sculpture was found lying horizontal on the ground. Due to its irreparable state, an engineer was brought on by Auckland Council’s Public Art team to scan the entire sculpture and build a mould for its replacement under supervision and guidance of the original sculptor Christine Hellyar and fellow sculptor Richard Mathieson.
Hellyar recalls the first installation being a steaming moment for an audience in the middle of Alice Wylie Reserve.
“It was a live pour – where the bronze bubbled over fire and then flowed into its shape,” she explains.
The mould was made of sand with a rock placed in the centre and vegetation pushed into the sides. The plants were removed before the liquid metal was poured, leaving a texture on the surface. Once set the sculpture was lifted into place with a crane.
At the recent unveiling just a week out from Suffrage Day, Hellyar revealed the cloaked woman was inspired by Wairaka, an ancestor of Mount Albert who led with bravery.
“She was an amazing woman who was in charge of her tribe and led her people to safety towards Meola Creek,” says Hellyar.
To preserve this special commemoration of heritage and prevent future vandalism, the new sculpture has been made more robust with stronger bronze and is positioned in a well lit part of the park.
