In the context of this artwork, explore the Removal of the History.
In 2017, the donor's CEO, Sir William Gallagher, gave an Institute of Directors speech describing the Treaty of Waitangi as a fraud and denied it involved a partnership between Māori and the Crown. About a dozen directors walked out of the speech in protest.The statue was defaced with red paint in August 2018 by the activist Taitumu Maipi.In June 2020, ahead of a George Floyd protest in the US, the Hamilton City Council discussed the statue with Sir William's brother and fellow director, John Gallagher, then slated it for removal, after a request by Māori tribal confederation Waikato Tainui.On 12 June 2020, the Hamilton City Council removed the statue of Captain Hamilton.
Treaty of Waitangi George Floyd protest Institute of Directors Waikato Tainui Māori the Crown