Letter: Re national historic landmark status v Cook landing site in Gisborne

The Puhi Kai Iti Cook landing site. Photo / File- Liam Clayton

I cannot believe the Carillon/National War Memorial in Wellington is getting national historic landmark status while no such status is accorded to the Cook landing site in Gisborne.

The landing site at Gisborne is where Māori and the rest of the world had their first face-to-face meetings and where the first steps of the bumpy path to modern New Zealand were taken.

The 1769 event used to be recognised by both Māori and tauiwi for its historical significance - the fatal consequences acknowledged and hopes expressed by all for a better future.

This has changed in recent times - since the showpiece of Tuia 2000, the date has been shunned, and in the past couple of years, it appears nothing has been done to note the significance of that past event.

Replacement models of HMS Endeavour - once a tourist photo op in Gisborne’s main street - have for over six years been shut away, while the local council avoids questions over their re-erection.

The Cook landing site - once an open papa (mudstone) shelf stretching into the bay - is now swallowed by harbour developments.

The obelisk marking the landing site (funded by all New Zealand in the early 1900s) has now been surrounded by additions telling the Māori story, their earlier history and the people killed in the 1769 encounters.

Despite this being a national monument, it has not been given national historic landmark status - unlike the Waitangi Treaty grounds (the first) and now the Carillon.

I would like to know - why not? Why does it seem this piece of history is being deliberately pushed out of sight? Why does any mention of Cook now attract a hostile response in some quarters?

Due national recognition of the 1769 events - and a proper attempt to put the demons of the past properly to rest - would seem overdue.

Roger Handford

Gisborne