In the shadow of Savage

Written By: - Date published: 8:33 am, December 26th, 2013 - 17 comments
Categories: activism, democratic participation, labour, Maori Issues, Unions, welfare, workers' rights - Tags: , ,

The 25th of December is a good day for traveling around Auckland and visiting a historic site or 2. Yesterday I went to the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial on Auckland’s waterfront, next to Bastion Point.  So much political history in one small area!

Like Richard Seddon and William Massey, Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage died in office (in March 1940). Like Massey, Savage was buried in a gun bunker originally built for the 1885 Russian scare. It was decided to erect a memorial above his grave at Bastion Point, Auckland. A competition was held and was won by two Auckland architects, Tibor Donner and Anthony Bartlett. The design had a garden, a reflecting pool and the statue of a worker. The pool and garden were built, but the worker was seen as too divisive a symbol.

Instead, sculptor Richard Gross provided a design for a tall obelisk. On the side facing the pool was a figure symbolic of love and justice, while facing the sea was a portrait of Savage surrounded by flowers. Above were the words ‘He loved his fellow men’, and, below, ‘There is no fame to rise above the crowning honour of a people’s love.’

[Sigh] Too divisive a symbol, eh? It’s a beautiful site. I wonder how much of the history of the area Kiwi and overseas visitors are aware of. At the main entrance of the memorial park is a sign with a very abbreviated history.  The side facing Mission Bay: IMG_0167 The print says:

In 1860, 1879 and 1880 Ngati Whatua leaders Tuhaere and Te Kawau assembled many North island chiefs to the Kohimaramara Conference to establish a Maori Parliament.  They sough redress on land issues and equality under the law.  In the 1930s Maori sought remedy through Michael Savage, the then Prime Minister, of the Labour Government. With Maori support Labour had entered parliament for the first time beginning a long standing relationship.

The side facing the city: IMG_0165 The print under Savage’s picture says,

An embankment carries Tamaki Drive past the base of Resolution Point and across Hobson Bay.  On the east side is Okahu Bay, the site of a Ngati Whatua village until the 1950’s. The road skirts a headland known as Bastion Point, the end of which is now occupied by the Tamaki Yacht Club.  On the other side of the road once stood Fort Bastion, built during the “Russian Scare:” of the 1880s. Gun emplacements here once guarded the entrance to the Waitemata Harbour, as did other fortifications on Mt. Victoria and North head at Devonport on the North Shore.

Bastion Point was named after (the) Bastion Rock, a distinctive fort-like outcrop which stood offshore here until the 1920’s, when it was demolished during the formation of Tamaki Drive.  This is now the site of the memorial to Michael Joseph savage (1872-1940), this country’s first Labour Prime Minister, remembered by a tall obelisk, sunken pool and gardens.

The memorial: IMG_0187 The other side has an image of Savage. MJ Savage Memorial_2

To the right of the memorial, in the background is Ōrākei Marae.

MJ Savage Memorial_Marae_3 Ōrākei Marae: Bastion Point Marae_1 The Waka Maori site gives some history of the Marae:

Ngāti Whātua history in Tāmaki Makaurau began in the 17th century when Te Taoū, a hapū of Ngāti Whātua led principally by Tuperiri, successfully campaigned against the area’s incumbent proprietors, Waiohua.

However, within five years of signing the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, the thousands of acres previously occupied by Ngāti Whātua had been reduced to only 700 acres at Ōrākei.

As a result of Government policy, decades of displacement and loss followed for hapū members who were evicted from their homes and marae buildings burnt.

However, an announcement in 1976 by the National Party, led by Prime Minister Robert Muldoon, that uncommitted land at Bastion Point would be taken for high income housing and parks marked a turning point in the country’s history when some Ngāti Whātua occupied Bastion Point in January 1977.

The following 506 days of non-violent occupation and protest ended on 25 May 1978 when 222 protesters were arrested and the temporary meeting house, buildings, and gardens they had established were demolished.

However, subsequent demands for the return of Ngāti Whātua land was the catalyst for the formation of the current Waitangi Tribunal, as well as Treaty settlements for iwi throughout New Zealand.

In 1991 the marae was returned to Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei, which now controls a property asset base worth in the range of $400 million, with only $3 million derived from Treaty settlement.

Bastion Point protest 1978

Bastion Point protest 1978:  New Zealand history online/Nga korero a ipurangi o Aotearoa

An excellent vegetable garden initiative on Ōrākei Marae was included in a 3 News report last night.

On 25 December 2013, a handful of people were protesting near the entrance to the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park. Bastion Point falun gong protest There were also placards in the car park. The banners/placards were in Chinese.  I guess they were targeting international tourists. The English language pamphlet I was given explained the protest.  It had the url for this website.  And this one about organ harvesting: the main focus of the pamphlet.

So much political history in one site – as well as being a tourist site for its gardens and harbour views.  And that really adds up to a very strange mix. I’m glad Savage’s name is kept alive in the landscape.  I’m sorry the statue of a  worker was not included.

Remember the Savage Labour government and what it achieved!

Remember Bastion Point and the public face of brutal government repression!

And remember that once the Labour Party had the strong support of Maori.

MJ Savage Memorial_Marae_4

17 comments on “In the shadow of Savage ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. One Anonymous Knucklehead 1
    26 December 2013 at 9:11 am

    The National Party has responded to the protest:

    “No matter what rent-a-mob have to say, this year’s organ harvest has been a particularly good one.
    Why can’t you celebrate some positive news for once?”

  2. RedLogix 2
    26 December 2013 at 9:19 am

    A timely reminder karol. In one post two strong connections to our whakapapa – MJS and Orakei.

  3. Tiger Mountain 3
    26 December 2013 at 9:36 am

    Amazing National has not flattened the MJ Savage site for a mansion development or NSA receiver.

    One thing is for sure; the current National Prime Minister will never have such a beautiful memorial accorded at such a significant site. Michael Joseph Savage was a “dear leader” in the truest sense.

    In the 70s “Mickey Sav” car park after dark was a very popular place for young people to “get together” for social interaction in their old American V8s. These days it is gated between sunset and sunrise and fair enough too, it should be kept in pristine condition.

  4. tricledrown 4
    26 December 2013 at 9:58 am

    Key will erect his own memorial in Hawaii.
    Key NewZealands greatest beneficiary of Michael Joseph Savage.Keys Epitaph.
    I Took advantage of everything
    MJS’s Labour govt offered
    Free housing
    Mums widows benefit
    Free education
    Free heathcare
    Etc.
    I used all these advantages
    Then turned my back on the people who paid my way ripped everybody off I could then sold NZ down the Drain.

  5. Pete 5
    26 December 2013 at 11:56 am

    Here’s a booklet published early in 1937 detailing Labour’s achievements in its first year in office. An impressive set of accomplishments.

    • Macro 5.1
      26 December 2013 at 2:06 pm

      And excellent read! All actions could well be repeated by a new Left Government with similar results – its not rocket science. The summary on pp 46-47 is telling.

  6. tracey 6
    26 December 2013 at 12:37 pm

    from a time when many had nothing and community was everything … community is now nothing and peolle ecpect everything… in wouth auckland it is sgill mickey savage time.

    • karol 6.1
      26 December 2013 at 12:46 pm

      Yesterday in a public space in West Auckland, I saw a group of varying ages (possibly just one whanau) playing volleyball. Just a ball, and an engaged group and it looked like loads of fun.

      • Tiger Mountain 6.1.1
        26 December 2013 at 1:02 pm

        There are many reserves and public spaces out West, some hidden treasures.

        Across the road is Northall Reserve near Fruitvale school with an upper sports field and lower field with native plantings, which was instituted according to signage to celebrate all the babies born in Waitakere council area! Every night of the week there are informal touch games, cricket and people just having evening picnics there. An oasis in the city though a quiet neighbourhood really.

        And for off leash dog lovers there is expansive Craig Avon Park in Blockhouse Bay off Kinross and Connaught Sts and KakaMatua inlet on the way to Huia. Cars needed for this one unless you live there.

  7. adam 7
    26 December 2013 at 12:45 pm

    I always thought a good measure of a government would be the fact that it put up the statue that was originally intended for the site. Odd for nearly 100 years that has not happened – indeed we have two labour governments that many of the original labour party members would have thought were scum.

    I know the labour party has always had it’s moderates, indeed, Micky Savage was one of them. But I’d rather have his type of moderate, than that of many inside the labour party caucus who say they are moderates, and are really neo-liberal hacks.

    Nicely done Karol, it is such a wonderful site and your pictures are great. They do it no justice for the place really, – people should go and get a feel for it . Indeed for you who live outside Auckland it is a must visit site when here. Personally, I will always love Ngāti Whātua for offering this memorial site to the nation.

  8. tracey 8
    26 December 2013 at 12:57 pm

    karol. same at cornwall park. when you have no money you see the value of the simple things. family and fun.

    interestingly the demographic at cornwall park bbqs and grass areas is strongly pacific and asia. i note they are building a cafe by the band rotunda. a shame in many ways.

  9. tricledrown 9
    26 December 2013 at 1:05 pm

    Karol family is the best thing anyone can have .
    Research shows those with supportive families are the happiest and healthiest.
    Research also shows that money can only buy so much happines ‘Once your income passes $75,000 dollars their is only a 1 to 3% increase in happiness.
    So happy holidays to all here at the standard.

  10. tracey 10
    26 December 2013 at 2:24 pm

    some of the wealthiest people i know are the ones who complain about how much tax they pay

  11. philj 11
    27 December 2013 at 8:24 am

    xox.
    Some of the wealthy folks I know don’t pay any tax. Roll on for a change of government and, hopefully, a major change in our countries policy direction. I won’t hold my breath. People need hope and if South Auckland don’t vote en mass, then we deserve all we get. (or don’t get). MSM/NZ Inc. SKY, Fletchers, Downers etc, will start trumpeting how well NZ is doing, and lead to the feel good “all is well” in Aotearoa. David Cunliffe, please don’t become NZ’s Obama. Bold policy is needed and get your Neo Cons on board or get rid of them.

    • Will@Welly 11.1
      27 December 2013 at 1:26 pm

      We need to have a serious look at our tax laws. Family trusts and so forth, and Peter Dunne’s “legitimate” tax avoidance rules need completely overhauling.
      We’ve seen those at the bottom end of society end up penalized for minor misdemeanors, while those who have the means and the where-with-all, get away with $$$millions.

    • Francis 11.2
      27 December 2013 at 10:46 pm

      “Some of the wealthy folks I know don’t pay any tax.”

      Yet they still complain about the tax they don’t pay…

  12. Psycho Milt 12
    27 December 2013 at 8:47 am

    … the worker was seen as too divisive a symbol.

    Bangs head on desk…