As part of the planning for the 1940 centenary celebrations of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, it was decided to mark the landing places of Captain James Cook around Aotearoa New Zealand. For various reasons, the Kopu memorial was the first, and only one erected.
The memorial was unveiled on 21 November 1941 beside the Kopu Bridge, by James Thorn, MP for Thames and Chairman of the National Historical Committee of the Centennial Council.
"Local Public Works Department staff had erected the monument, having been instructed, according to Beaglehole’s biographer, to build it cheaply and in time for unveiling on the anniversary day." (McEwan A Dr, TCDC 2010) The final result was not what was expected, and apparently looked little like the original plans that were designed by Christchurch architect Paul Pascoe.
The unveiling of the Cook Memorial 21 November 1941.
Photo source Right: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19411203-28-2
The Captain Cook Memorial, on the northern side of the approach to the Kopu aka Hauraki Bridge
The Moving of the Memorial
In 1969 there were plans afoot to move the memorial from the Kopu Bridge site, and place it on a reserve along the road past Totara. (Thames Star 21 April 1969) Kopu residents and the local hall committee were against the proposal, stating it should be kept at Kopu and suggested a site at the Kopu Hall.The Thames Star newspaper reported on 11 November, that the memorial would be resited to the Kopu Hall grounds. The Department of Internal Affairs agreed to pay the moving costs. The new siting budget was 350 Pounds, as opposed to 800 Pounds at the Totara site. The Kopu Hall site was gratefully accepted by all.
In March 1970 the Captain Cook Memorial was moved and resited outside the Kopu Hall. (photo right)
The Kopu Hall ceased to be and as development took place at Kopu. By 2010 the Memorial was behind a fence at Kopu before being sent to storage (for some reason unknown to most) at Whangamata.
For years various groups and individuals lobbied to have the memorial returned. Many stories came out that the memorial was merely being cleaned and would be resited once the 'new' Kopu Bridge opened.
The Captain Cook Memorial 'behind bars' at Kopu c2010.
Source: Dr A McEwan, TCDC Heritage Report 2010
With the 250 year commemoration of Captain Cook visiting The Thames due November 2019, The Thames Heritage Network again urged the TCDC (Thames Coromandel District Council) to try and make the resiting a reality. Communication with various groups continued along with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. The memorial's return was complicated by the need for land stabilisation at the chosen new site. Finally the big day came 29 May 2020 - delayed by the covid-19 pandemic.
The ribbon cut 29 May 2020
While the Covid-19 restrictions limited the gathering to no more than 50, a representative group were present to see the memorial officially opened by TCDC Mayor Sandra Goudie. They included TCDC staff who had been instrumental in the planning / consent process, along with those responsible for landscaping the area. Numbers were made up by members and supporters of the Thames Heritage Network - all thrilled to see the iconic memorial returned, while acknowledging the importance of history to the ongoing recovery of the Thames region. Gary Blake and Alan Young also spoke on behalf of the heritage group and local Kopu businesses.
While the Covid-19 restrictions limited the gathering to no more than 50, a representative group were present to see the memorial officially opened by TCDC Mayor Sandra Goudie. They included TCDC staff who had been instrumental in the planning / consent process, along with those responsible for landscaping the area. Numbers were made up by members and supporters of the Thames Heritage Network - all thrilled to see the iconic memorial returned, while acknowledging the importance of history to the ongoing recovery of the Thames region. Gary Blake and Alan Young also spoke on behalf of the heritage group and local Kopu businesses.
Ready for the 'cutting of the ribbon'.
Speeches by Mayor Sandra Goudie, Alan Young and Gary Blake.
The key people involved with the project joined to ceremonially cut the "red ribbon".
The Captain Cook Memorial sits proudly on a boardwalk,
with a few seats for those who want to sit and reflect.
The plaque reads:
"Near this Spot James Cook with the naturalists Joseph Banks & Daniel Solander landed while exploring the river Thames in the ship's boats of H.M.S. Endeavour 21 November 1769."
For further information on Cook's voyage:
Cook Landmarks at 'The Thames' (New Zealand), November 1769, Dave Wilton 2019 (The Treasury Journal).
Update:
Report on TCDC Facebook page:
The monument to Captain Cook and his crew’s visit to Tikapa Moana and the Waihou River is now back in place in Kopu, by the old Kopu Bridge, not far from where the monument was initially sited in 1941. It was later moved to where the Kopu Hall used to be and then went into storage a couple of years ago when the hall property changed hands. Thanks to local businesses Peninsula Memorials and All Garden Works for restoring the monument and building the deck and landscaping (in tricky sub-surface ground conditions), and thanks to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage for their partnership and financial support for the project. The monument is made from stone quarried in the Kauaeranga Valley and the deck is a nod to the wooden ship decking Cook and his crew would have walked on as they sailed the oceans.The monument was “opened” today by our Mayor Sandra Goudie, Gary Blake from the Heritage Network Group and Kopu Bridge Society (wielding the scissors) and Allan Young, Chair of the Kopu Landowners and Occupiers Association.
