Artwork Information

A monument to Sir George Grey (1812-1898), located near the Gallery in Albert Park, is the subject of this photograph. A British soldier and scholar, Grey was Governor of New Zealand twice, from 1845-53 and 1861-68. He also donated a significant collection of taonga Māori, European paintings and other items to form Auckland Art Gallery's founding collection. Once known as 'Good Governor Grey', he is today a controversial and divisive figure due to his leading role in the New Zealand Wars and colonisation of the country.

Sculpted by Francis Williamson in England, this monument was erected in Albert Park in 1904. It incorporates inscriptions in English and te reo Māori, including 'te whakaruru hau o te iwi maori i nga ra i mua', praising him being a 'shelter' for Māori. However, while Grey was on good terms with Apihai Te Kawau (circa 1780-1869), chief of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, tangata whenua (Indigenous peoples) of central Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, he had a hostile relationship with other iwi (tribes).

Adams photographed the statue in 1988, after it had been beheaded as part of a Waitangi Day protest. Grey's head was promptly replaced. It has since seen other actions, including being smeared with blood red paint in 2020 at the time of Black Lives Matter protests.

- Mark Adams: A Survey | He Kohinga Whakaahua, 2025