South African War Memorial

In commemoration of the South African War 1899-1902 in which New Zealand represented by 6,500 volunteers for the first time took part in the battles of the Empire and assisted to maintain the prestige of the British Flag. Also in memory of Trooper Alfred Whitney, 7th NZ Contingent, who fell in the memorable night attack at Bothasberg Traansvaal, 23rd February 1902. And in honour of the 74 volunteers from this District who nobly responded to the call of their Queen and Country. One of the only 4 Zealandia statues in New Zealand.

The figure of Zealandia is on two South African War memorials in the South Island, this one in Waimate and the other in Palmerston in Otago.

Zealandia was seen as a symbol of New Zealand. Her presence on the two war memorials emphasises that they were expressions of pride in the nation’s service to the Empire.

The statue in Waimate is situated in front of a Coronation Oak and is bounded by Queen and Victoria Streets and expresses the mixture of nationalism and imperialism which New Zealanders associated with participation in the war.

This statue was sculpted in Dunedin by Bergamini and Reid. Five communities commission Bergamini and Reid to design and erect South African War memorials, Waimate, Palmerston, Oamaru, Riverton and Dunedin. Only two feature Zealandia – Waimate and Palmerston.

“At the unveiling on October 6 1904 the crowd was told….”the monument could not fail to exercise a powerful influence in favour of the duty of patriotism upon the minds of the people of the present day and upon future generations.”

Sources: www.nzhistory.govt.nz.  Dictionary of New Zealand.