
James Cook statue
Situated in Victoria Square, the statue of Captain James Cook was carved by William Trethewey and unveiled in 1932.
In 1929, Matthew Frank Burnett, a retired bootmaker, donated money for the erection of a statue in honour of Captain James Cook (1728-1779). Following this, a design competition was held, with the award going to Christchurch sculptor, William Trethewey (1892-1956). The statue was based on a plaster model and carved from marble using a pointing machine.
The statue was originally situated in the south eastern corner of Victoria Square, near Colombo Street. The unveiling ceremony, held on 10 August 1932, was attended by school children and men from the Royal Naval Reserve and was carried out by Governor General Lord Bledisloe. A time capsule was also placed in the plinth.
A plaque on the plinth reads:
James Cook
Captain Royal Navy
Circumnavigator who first hoisted the British flag in New Zealand and explored her seas and coasts
1769-70 1773-4 1777
Oceani Investigator Acerrimus.
The statue and its plinth were earthquake strengthened and relocated to the centre of Victoria Square during the square’s redevelopment in 1989.
William Trethewey sculpting Cook statue
William Trethewey (left) and his assistant sculpting the Captain James Cook statue.
Partially completed Cook statue
William Trethewey and two assistants sculpting the Captain James Cook statue.
Captain Cook statue at night
Statue of Captain Cook in Victoria Square as seen at night.
Endeavour by Tatzu Oozu
Endeavour Sculpture by Tatsu Oozu for SCAPE 2008.
Captain Cook Statue
Statue of Captain James Cook in Victoria Park. Crowne Plaza Hotel and Christchurch Town Hall in background.
Captain Cook statue
Statue of Captian Cook in Victoria Square.
People having a lovely evening by wandering around Captain Cook Statue in Victoria Square
"People having a lovely evening by wandering around Captain Cook Statue in Victoria Square." - Contributor's note
Victoria Square from the Town Hall
View from Christchurch Town Hall looking across Victoria Square towards the Captain James Cook and Queen Victoria Statues and across to the intersection of Colombo Street and Armagh Street.
Cleaning Queen Victoria statue
Malcolm Ngatai, a technician of Waterblast Techniques cleaning the Queen Victoria statue in Victoria Square during her temporary removal during renovations to Victoria Square. In the background is the...
Captain Cook statue
Statue of Captain James Cook in Victoria Square.
Captain Cook statue
Statue of Captain James Cook in Victoria Square.