Ballance Statue

Heritage object

Parliament Grounds, Molesworth Street, Pipitea
❰ ❱
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
"John Ballance, Born 27 March 1839, Glenavy, County Antrim, Ireland, Arrived New Zealand 1865, Prime Minister 1891 - 1893, Died 27 April 1893." Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Image: WCC, 2014
Map

  • Constructed

    1897

  • Heritage Area

    Parliament Grounds

  • Architect(s)

    J Davie / Robert Roy Macgregor

  • Builder(s)

    Mr J Davie of Melbourne designed the statue in clay. Rob Roy Macgregor, designed the base. Mr W.J Helyer's works cast the statue in plaster (and presumably carved the statue in stone).

  • The statue of John Ballance has historical importance for the man it was built to commemorate. Ballance was an extremely important figure in New Zealand politics, and his political legacy can still be seen today.

    The statue of John Ballance can be considered as one half of a pair with the statue of Richard Seddon in front of the Parliament House. Together, ‘the two statues embody the importance of the Liberal government of the 1890s and 1900s in bringing in a wide range of social and labour reforms’ to New Zealand.

    The statue of John Ballance is held in high public esteem. Ballance was one of New Zealand’s most important premiers, and his humanitarian policies still influence today. The statue is a fond public reminder of him and his political legacy.

    The statue of John Ballance makes a strong contribution to a sense of place and continuity for Parliament. The statue signifies a history of political compassion and innovation, something New Zealand has been proud of since Ballance.

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  • close History
    • John Ballance was New Zealand’s 14th Premier, holding office from January 1881 till his death on the 27 April 1893. His was New Zealand’s first Liberal Government, laying the foundations for New Zealand’s reputation as the ‘social laboratory of the world’.  Ballance was born in 1839 in Ballypitmave, near Glenavy in County Antrim, Ireland, and immigrated to New Zealand with his wife Fanny (nee Taylor) in August 1866, settling in Wanganui. Fanny was to die only a year and a half later, in March 1868, after a short illness. After a brief foray into jewellery retail, Ballance pursued a career in journalism, reporting with distinction on the Crown’s war with Titokawaru of Ngati Ruanui in 1868-69. He also remarried in 1870 to Ellen Anderson, the daughter of a Wellington merchant.  

      Ballance’s political career began in 1872 when he put his name in for a bi-election in the seat of Egmont, though he withdrew his name before the vote.  He was later narrowly elected to the Rangitikei seat, in 1875. He established a good name for himself over the next year and a half, and he became leader of the opposition in 1889. When the sitting premier H.A. Atkinson resigned in 1891 Ballance took over, forming New Zealand’s first liberal government. New Zealand experienced a time of prosperity during Ballance’s time in power, which saw him given the moniker ‘the Rain-maker’. Ballance died on 27 April 1893, the first New Zealand premier to die in office.  Ballance was responsible for many of the forward-thinking policies that were passed by his successor, Richard Seddon. It is his significant role in this most formative of periods in New Zealand history that is his legacy.

      The statue of John Ballance was unveiled April 7 1897. The statue was not well-received. From An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand :

      Writing on 13 April 1897 to William Pember Reeves, the Agent General for New Zealand in London, Edward Tregear, head of the Labour Department and one of the more prominent civil servants of the day, said: “We have had a ceremony of unveiling the statue of ‘Ballance’… In my eyes the statue is hideous beyond words; it is very good style for a cemetery but is no more like our dear dead chief than I am like the Apollo Belvedere–and that's ‘a far cry’. The Trade Council ought to be prosecuted for debasing the populace with such examples of Art, but poor fellows, they did their little best to try and show honour to a man they honoured. ‘Forgive them, they know not what they do’–should be written on the pedestal. Such a statue adds a new terror to Death.”

      The statue of John Ballance used to occupy a much more prominent position in Parliament’s grounds, which were much smaller, running from the library building’s main steps down to Molesworth Street but not extending to the south.  After the grounds were extended following the 1907 fire, the Ballance statue found itself relegated from the grounds’ centre.

  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The statue of John Ballance stands with his back to the library, facing Molesworth Street, his right leg slightly forward. His left hand clutches his lapel while the right holds a scroll. His face holds a look of quiet determination. The Ballance statue pales in comparison to the statue of Richard Seddon; Ballance’s is smaller in scale, quieter in tone and materials, and is located in a much less prominent position.


    • Materials close

      Marble statue on a granite base

    • Setting close

      The statue of John Ballance is located in front of the Parliamentary Library, at the northern end of Parliament’s grounds. Nestled beside the pohutukawa trees that line the Hill Street boundary the John Ballance statue is perhaps in one of Parliament’s less frequented spots. However, with the greenery and Victorian Gothic backdrop of the library, the setting certainly is picturesque.

  • close Cultural Value
    • The statue of John Ballance has historical importance for the man it was built to commemorate. Ballance was an extremely important figure in New Zealand politics, and his political legacy can still be seen today.
    • The statue of John Ballance can be considered as one half of a pair with the statue of Richard Seddon in front of the Parliament House. Together, ‘the two statues embody the importance of the Liberal government of the 1890s and 1900s in bringing in a wide range of social and labour reforms’ to New Zealand.
    • The statue of John Ballance is held in high public esteem. Ballance was one of New Zealand’s most important premiers, and his humanitarian policies still influence today. The statue is a fond public reminder of him and his political legacy.
    • The statue of John Ballance makes a strong contribution to a sense of place and continuity for Parliament. The statue signifies a history of political compassion and innovation, something New Zealand has been proud of since Ballance.
    • 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 John Ballance has some architectural value, working well in its section of Parliament. It interacts nicely with the library behind it and the pohutukawa to the north.

      • 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 John Ballance can be considered as one half of a pair with the statue of Richard Seddon in front of the Parliament House. Together, ‘the two statues embody the importance of the Liberal government of the 1890s and 1900s in bringing in a wide range of social and labour reforms’ to New Zealand.

      • 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 John Ballance has minor townscape value. It is a distinguished feature of the northeast corner of Parliament grounds.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        The statue of John Ballance has historical importance for the man it was built to commemorate. Ballance was an extremely important figure in New Zealand politics, and his political legacy can still be seen today. 

    • Scientific Value close

      Not assessed

    • Social Value close

      • 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 John Ballance makes a strong contribution to a sense of place and continuity for Parliament. The statue signifies a history of political compassion and innovation, something New Zealand has been proud of since Ballance.

      • 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?

        Obviously, the statue has high commemorative value, built to memorialise one of New Zealand’s best remembered premiers, John Ballance.

      • Public Esteem

        Is the item held in high public esteem?

        The statue of John Ballance is held in high public esteem. Ballance was one of New Zealand’s most important premiers, and his humanitarian policies still influence today. The statue is a fond public reminder of him and his political legacy.

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • Importance

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

        The statue of John Ballance is important at a national level due to its association with one of New Zealand’s most important premiers. 

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      18/37

    • Legal Description

      Secs 1210 1211 24133 Town of Wellington

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      1/Historic place 211

    • Archaeological Site

      NZAA Central City Archaeological Area R27/270

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Unknown

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 8/1/2018 2:13:02 AM