The memorial on Pukaka/Marsland Hill, New Plymouth was conceived as a national memorial to commemorate those who served as Government forces during the New Zealand Wars (1845 -1870) including British Army regiments/corps, Royal Naval vessels, New Zealand-raised troops and Māori who fought on the Pakeha side.
The statue was designed by prominent New Plymouth architect Frank Messenger and the model for the soldier was the local surveyor, George Messenger.
It was unveiled on 7 May 1909 by Governor-General Lord Plunket.
The statue was badly damaged on Waitangi Day 1991. The following year it was reported that the statue was going to repaired, but this plan was subsequently abandoned.
Accorded Category 1 status by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust in 2013.
Related items:
Unveiling the Marsland Hill Memorial at New Plymouth, (Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19090513-12-06)
Man in marble, who watches over city (Taranaki Daily News 27 October 1956)
Was model for statue of soldier (Taranaki Herald 24 November 1960)
NP statue's ruin 'despicable' (Daily News 6 February 1991)
North Face
The
following colonial
forces served in the
New Zealand
Wars
N.Z. Militia
" Volunteers Mounted
" " Foot
" " Naval
" " Engineers
" Military Settlers
" Defence Force
" Armed Constabulary
Loyal Maoris
To the
honoured memory of
the
officers and men of
H M Naval, Military and Colonial
Forces and Loyal Maoris
who fell in action or died during
the Maori Wars
1845-47:1860-70
Erected by their comrades and fellow-
countrymen from all parts of the
British Empire, April 1909
South Face
For the Committee
S. Percy Smith Chairman
E. Dockrill Treasurer
W. F. Gordon Secretary
Capt F. J. Mace NZC
Prime Mover
West Face
The
Following Imperial
Regiments served in the
New Zealand
Wars
H M 12th
" 14th
" 14th LI
40th
" 43rd
" 50th
" 57th
" 58th
" 63rd
" 68th
" 70th
" 96th
" 99th
Unveiled by
His Excellency the Governor
The Rgt Hon Baron Plunket
KCMG KCVD
May 7 1909
East Face
The
Following vessels of
HM Navy served in the
New Zealand Wars
HMS HMS
Blanche Brisk
Calliope Castor
Cordelia Curacao
Driver Eclipse
Elk Esk
Falcon Fawn
Harrier Hazard
Iris Miranda
Niger North Star
Orpheus Pelorus
Racehorse
HMCS Victoria
HEIC Elphinstone
[HEIC = Honourable East India Company]
The
Following Imperial Corps
Served in the
New Zealand Wars
Royal Artillery
Royal Engineers
Royal Marines
Commissariat
Military Train
Army Hospital Corps
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