Fraser Statue

Heritage object

Old Government Buildings , 15 Lambton Quay, Pipitea
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Map

  • Constructed

    1989

  • Heritage Area

    Parliament Grounds

  • Architect(s)

    Anthony Stones

  • Builder(s)

    Unknown

  • The statue commemorates Peter Fraser, New Zealand’s Prime Minister from 1940-1949. Fraser is an immensely important figure in New Zealand’s history – he was Prime Minister during World War 2, handling the country’s role in the crisis extremely well. He is New Zealand’s fourth longest serving Prime Minister and the longest serving Labour Prime Minister.

    The statue of Peter Fraser has artistic value for the quality of its craftsmanship. The statue seems to reflect the qualities of decency, modesty, and integrity, as well as that of hard work, that Fraser exemplified. The statue also has artistic significance because of its maker, the accomplished and renowned sculpture, Anthony Stones.

    The statue of Peter Fraser is held in high esteem. Fraser’s political career is still very well respected today, and the statue is regarded to be a fine piece of commemorative art.

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  • close History

    • The statue of Peter Fraser commemorates New Zealand’s 24th Prime Minister, who held the office from 1940 to 1949, making him the fourth longest serving Prime Minister and the longest-serving Labour Prime Minister. Fraser is regarded as a major figure in New Zealand history, and in the Labour Party especially. The statue has historical significance for this reason.

      Fraser was born on 28 August 1884 in Hill of Fearn, a small village near the town of Tain in the Highland area of Easter Ross, Scotland. Fraser moved to New Zealand at the age of 26, having apparently chosen the country in the belief that it held a strong progressive spirit. He worked on the wharves in Auckland, and became involved in union politics, joining the New Zealand Socialist Party. Fraser was the campaign manager for Michael Joseph Savage when he stood as the Socialist candidate for Auckland central. In the Waihi miners’ strike of 1912, Fraser represented the New Zealand Federation of Labour. Shortly afterwards, Fraser moved to Wellington, again working on the wharves.

      Fraser’s political career in Wellington continued at the same fast pace as it had further north. He was instrumental in the formation of the Labour Party in 1916. He was imprisoned for opposing conscription during World War 1. Upon release he started working as a journalist. In 1918 he won the seat of Wellington Central. In 1919 he was also elected to the Wellington City Council, and came close to being elected mayor in 1923. On 1 November he married Janet Henderson Munroe, a politically active woman in her own right.

      Fraser sat in Opposition from his election in 1918 until 1935. He played an active role in the Labour Party, being elected secretary of the party in 1919. When Labour won power in 1935, Fraser was the assumed second in command behind Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage. Fraser took the key portfolios of education and health, as well as marine and police. A key policy was the passing of the Social Security Act 1938, which established a national free health service.

      When World War 2 broke in 1939, Savage was already in poor health and at this time Fraser assumed control over the war effort, travelling to England as acting Prime Minister to meet with Winston Churchill and Bernard Freyberg, and forging important links that were to sustain the war.

      Michael Joseph Savage died on 27 March 1940, and Fraser won the leadership. He remained Prime Minister until 1949, when his party was defeated by the Sidney Holland-led National Party. Fraser was New Zealand’s war-time Prime Minister, a difficult job that he is widely regarded to have handled with aplomb. It was also during his rule that New Zealand adopted the Statue of Westminster in 1947.

      Fraser’s political career was long and distinguished. According to the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, Te Ara, ‘[t]he historical record suggests [Fraser] should be ranked among the greatest of the country's prime ministers.’ His skilful governing of New Zealand during World War 2 is perhaps his greatest legacy.

      The Fourth Labour Government commissioned the statue of Peter Fraser at the same time as the statue of Keith Holyoake that stands outside the State Services Commission building on Molesworth Street. The brief for both statues, in the words of Michael Bassett, was for them to be ‘real life representations’ rather than ‘artistic interpretations’. The statue of Peter Fraser was unveiled in 1989.

  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close
      The Government commissioned the statue of Peter Fraser at the same time as a statue of Keith Holyoake (located nearby on Molesworth Street, in front of the State Services Commission building). The aim was for ‘real life representations’ rather than ‘artistic interpretations’.  

      Wellington curator Aaron Lister wrote this of the statue of Peter Fraser:
      Anthony Stones depicts Fraser in an informal, candid manner as the politician makes his way by foot to Parliament from the former Department of Education where he served before becoming the Prime Minister. In both its site and its style, Stones’s likeness captures the public image of Fraser as a politician who worked tirelessly for the people, especially in Health and Education 

      Another commentator seconds Lister’s take on the statue. Keith Ovenden writes that ‘[d]ecency, modesty and integrity seem to flow out of the bronze figure much as the floods of admiration flowed towards the Prime Minister from an admiring public as a result of these widely detected traits.’
    • Materials close

      Bronze

    • Setting close

      The statue of Peter Fraser is located in the main grounds of the old Government Buildings, on the Lambton Quay side of the property. Fraser is facing Parliament, as if he was leaving his former workplace of the Department of Education to head across the road for parliamentary business.

  • close Cultural Value
    • The statue commemorates Peter Fraser, New Zealand’s Prime Minister from 1940-1949. Fraser is an immensely important figure in New Zealand’s history – he was Prime Minister during World War 2, handling the country’s role in the crisis extremely well. He is New Zealand’s fourth longest serving Prime Minister and the longest serving Labour Prime Minister.
    • The statue of Peter Fraser has artistic value for the quality of its craftsmanship. The statue seems to reflect the qualities of decency, modesty, and integrity, as well as that of hard work, that Fraser exemplified. The statue also has artistic significance because of its maker, the accomplished and renowned sculpture, Anthony Stones.
    • The statue of Peter Fraser is held in high esteem. Fraser’s political career is still very well respected today, and the statue is regarded to be a fine piece of commemorative art.
    • Aesthetic Value close

      • Architectural

        Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

        The statue of Peter Fraser has artistic value for the quality of its craftsmanship. The statue seems to reflect the qualities of decency, modesty, and integrity, as well as that of hard work, that Fraser exemplified. The statue also has artistic significance because of its maker, the accomplished and renowned sculpture, Anthony Stones.

      • Townscape

        Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

        The statue of Peter Fraser is a landmark and has considerable townscape value. It holds a central position in front of the old Government Buildings (now the University of Victoria’s law school), defining the front grounds of the section.

      • Group

        Is the item part of a group of buildings, structures, or sites that taken together have coherence because of their age, history, style, scale, materials, or use?

        The statue of Peter Fraser can be considered in a loose pairing with the statue of Keith Holyoake just a bit north on Molesworth Street, which was commissioned at the same time by the Fourth Labour Government. The statue also lies within the Parliamentary Precinct Heritage Area, and can be considered in a group with the other statues of New Zealand Prime Ministers/Premiers, Richard Seddon and John Ballance.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

        Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

        The statue commemorates Peter Fraser, New Zealand’s Prime Minister from 1940-1949. Fraser is an immensely important figure in New Zealand’s history – he was Prime Minister during World War 2, handling the country’s role in the crisis extremely well. He is New Zealand’s fourth longest serving Prime Minister and the longest serving Labour Prime Minister.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

        Does the item have archaeological value for its ability to provide scientific information about past human activity?

        Included in NZAA Central City Archaeological Area R27/270, associated with Pre 1900 Building, pre 1900 reclaimed land.

    • Social Value close

      • Public Esteem

        Is the item held in high public esteem?

        The statue of Peter Fraser is held in high esteem. Fraser’s political career is still very well respected today, and the statue is regarded to be a fine piece of commemorative art.

      • Symbolic - Commemorative - Traditional - Spiritual

        Does the item have symbolic, commemorative, traditional, spiritual or other cultural value for the community who has used and continues to use it?

        The statue has obvious commemorative value, built in memory of former Prime Minister Peter Fraser.

      • Identity - Sense of Place - Continuity

        Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

        The statue of Peter Fraser contributes to a sense of place. The statue is a reminder of the political importance of the Thorndon area and how long that has been the case. It also reminds us that old Government Buildings once served as a very important governmental office.

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • Representative

        Is the item a good example of the class it represents?

        The statue of Peter Fraser is a very good example of public commemoration of a Prime Minister.

      • Authentic

        Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

        The statue remains in original condition.

      • Importance

        Is the item important at a local, regional, national, or international level?

        The statue of Peter Fraser is important at a national level.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      17/32

    • Legal Description

      Sec 1 SO 37161

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      Not listed

    • Archaeological Site

      None

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Unknown

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 9/25/2017 8:32:06 PM