By Jo Marie-Brown
A sculptor's wish to have a signature work recast in bronze has been realised 44 years after his death, thanks to his grandson.
William (Bill) Trethewey created the 8m statue of the discovery of New Zealand by Maori navigator Kupe for the 1939 Centennial Exhibition in Wellington.
It was his
wish that the sculpture, which was additional to three other works he produced for the exhibition, should become a permanent memorial to the Maori race.
The other plaster of Paris pieces were smashed after the show but the Kupe group was moved to the Wellington Railway Station, where it stood for nearly 50 years.
Mr Trethewey died in 1956 but his grandson, Bruce Trethewey, decided to fulfil his grandfather's wish.
Last July the work was taken out of storage and taken to West Auckland where its recasting is almost complete.
Bruce Trethewey is delighted. "It's a realisation of his dream. Most sculptors aren't recognised until after they are dead.
"I think it's fantastic that I can fulfil his wishes."
The bronze will be moved to Wellington's waterfront next month.
