Moutoa Gardens

Exploring Moutoa Gardens in Whanganui

Moutoa Gardens, located on Taupo Quay in Whanganui, by the Whanganui River, is a modest yet historically significant public reserve. Situated just east of Pukenamu Queens Park, the gardens are notable for their monuments that commemorate historical events involving colonial Europeans and their Māori allies.

Historical Monuments and Memorials

A prominent feature of Moutoa Gardens is the large bronze monument dedicated to Pūtiki rangatira Te Keepa Te Rangihiwinui, also known as Major Kemp. This monument includes detailed descriptions of four battles he fought.

Another significant monument commemorates the allied Māori who died in the 1864 battle on Moutoa Island, which is credited with saving the colonial town from an attack by Māori followers of the Pai Mārire faith during the New Zealand Wars. This statue, erected in 1865 by European settlers in Whanganui, holds the distinction of being Aotearoa New Zealand's first war memorial. It remains controversial for its questionable interpretation of historical events and the language used.

Māori Land Rights Protest and Legacy

In the mid-1990s, Moutoa Gardens became the focal point of a major Māori land rights protest. During this protest, the statue of colonial prime minister John Balance was beheaded, and today only its base remains. The protest also led to the recognition of the site's pre-colonial heritage as Pākaitore Pā. It contributed to the renaming of Wanganui to Whanganui, although both spellings are still accepted.

Natural Beauty and Art

Beyond its historical significance, Moutoa Gardens is home to several mature pōhutukawa trees, adding natural beauty to the park. Additionally, there is a charming statue depicting a girl and her younger brother, providing a lighter, artistic touch to the area.