26 April 2018
History of Mayoral Portraits at HDC - Press Release
The oil portraits of previous mayors that greet visitors to the Hastings District Council chambers are now joined by our
first female Mayor
The portrait of new Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst has been unveiled by artist Freeman White and Hastings District
Council kaumatua Jim Whaanga at a small ceremony held today.
Mrs Hazlehurst says: “I am truly honoured to be painted and set alongside my forbearers.” She says: “Freeman has
captured in my portrait those who have stood and who stand steadfastly behind me. They are my family, my mentors past
and present, and those who encourage and support me at every turn to be the best I can be, so I can do the very best for
our people.
It has taken months for Freeman White to perfect the portrait; reworking it five times.
He says he wanted to give Sandra a feeling of authority in the portrait, without making her look overbearing. “The
significance of this being the first female portrait amongst all men wasn’t lost on me and I wanted her to appear strong
and confident yet approachable.”
The new portrait will hang alongside 21 others. It is a tradition started by the Hastings Borough and City Councils in
the 19th century.
The line-up of the historic artworks includes that of the first mayor of Hastings Borough Council, Robert Wellwood
(1886) and Ed Bate, the first mayor of Hastings City (1953).
Mr White will have his name listed alongside esteemed artists such as Gottifried Lindauer, Walter Bowring, Peter
McIntyre, William Alexander “Bill” Sutton, Harry Sangl and, more recently, Ion Brown, who have painted one or more of
the mayoral portraits.
Mr White says it is a huge honour for his work to be included alongside such illustrious and renowned artists. “There
are some very significant and historical names in the collection, in particular that of Gottifried Lindauer who is one
of New Zealand’s most significant portrait artists.” Mr White says it is an incredible collection for the city of
Hastings to have, and signifies a large part of the city’s history and a large investment in culture and art. “It is
great to have them on public display.”
The 39-year-old Hawke’s Bay artist was chosen to do the work after a strong recommendation from the Hastings art
community.
Jonathan Brown from the Hastings City Art Gallery commended him for the commission. “He is best suited to create the
style of portraiture fitting the historical significance of the work, and to sit beside other great New Zealand artists.
He is a traditional artist who is known and respected around Hawke’s Bay’s art community,” Mr Brown said.
Mr White grew up in Havelock North is a former student of Havelock North High School. He spent eight months in Edinburgh
on a scholarship through the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Among his achievements is being awarded the New Zealand Adam Portraiture Award in 2006, which Mr White says “really put
my name on the map”.
Since then, he has gone on to become the most collected artist at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, Wellington. He has
10 works in the collection – including portraits of Kiwi film director and actor Taika Waititi and comedian Jemaine
Clement which featured in the 2014 New Zealand film What We Do in the Shadows. Also among his works in the New Zealand
Portrait Gallery are paintings of John Buck from Te Mata Estate Winery and New Zealand chef, Dame Alison Holst.
Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says: “I have been moved by his incredible skill and we are blessed to have such a talented
artist in our region.”
“Thank you Freeman for bringing to life my sense of duty to the community and my love of this opportunity to serve our
people; it is a privilege and responsibility that invigorates me every day.”
ENDS.