Public Art in Central Christchurch

Cook Statue

Category: Monument / Sculpture Title: Cook Statue Primary artist(s): William Trethewey (1892-1972) Unveiling date: 10 August, 1932 Media: Carrara marble Approximate dimensions: h 5.5m w 3.35m d 2.13m Location: Victoria Square Setting: Situated in the middle of the Square Owner / administrator: Parks Unit, Christchurch City Council

Frank Barnett a Christchurch citizen provided the impetus for the statue of Captain James Cook by gifting the principal funds. A competition for the commission was organised. The memorial committee selected William Trethewey as its choice from a prestigious line up of local artists. Trethewey chose to depict Captain Cook on the bridge of boat deck surveying land on the horizon, telescope at his side.

It was a large block of marble that was needed for the creation of a statue of Captain Cook. Problems were encountered with transporting the marble over the Port Hills on a cart when the weight of the block caused a bridge to break. Eventually the marble reached the studio of William Trethewey where the cart promptly sunk through the footpath. Not withstanding these delays, it took the sculptor William Trethewey three years to complete the over life size statue of Captain Cook.

The monument to the Captain of the Royal Navy was unveiled 10 August, 1932. At the unveiling a time capsule was placed in the base of the statue containing observations of the economic depression and a list of all the city councillors and officials.

With the redesign of Victoria Square in 1989 the statue was relocated to its present position from the corner of Colombo and Armagh Sts.

View Cook Statue PDF to Print