MEDIA RELEASE
14 October 2003

Auckland ‘Warrior’ home after long vacation

After nearly a year-long absence, a familiar Auckland landmark has returned home to Queen Elizabeth Square.

The imposing bronze ‘Warrior’ statue, which depicts a Maori chief, was placed in storage in November last year to allow for the development of the bus operations part of Auckland City Council’s Britomart facility, which involved the return of part of Queen Elizabeth Square to Queen Street.

With the bus operations area now complete, the statue has returned to the square, but in a slightly revised position. Ferry users exiting the central ferry terminal will now be greeted by the ‘Warrior’, in its new home directly opposite the ferry terminal's main exit.

The statue, sculpted in the mid-1960s by New Zealand artist Molly McAlister, has also been lowered to a more accessible position at ground level, instead of its former presentation on a pedestal.

“The sculptor had always wanted this statue to be down at street level so that people could view it up close and better interact with it,” says Auckland City heritage manager George Farrant. “The Britomart development process provided the perfect opportunity to do this and we believe it will add yet another dimension to one of Auckland’s most popular public spaces.”

Work on the $204 million Britomart Transport Centre is almost complete, providing a central connection point for public transport services in downtown Auckland, as well as the renewal and development of a large part of Auckland’s city centre. The Britomart Precinct is bounded by Quay and Customs streets, Queen Elizabeth Square and Britomart Place.

ENDS

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