Outrage as statue of Captain Cook is defaced with the words 'this is our land' - but some are SUPPORTING the vandalism
- Statue of Captain James Cook was vandalised at a reserve in New Zealand
- Images of the vandalised statue were posted online and sparked controversy
- The words 'This is our land' and 'Thief Pakeha' were written onto the globe
A statue of Captain James Cook has been vandalised in New Zealand, with the words 'This is our land' and 'Thief Pakeha' sprayed onto it.
Images of the vandalised statue have been posted online, sparking controversy among divided locals.
The statue shows Captain Cook standing atop a globe at a reserve on Awapuni Road in Gisborne, on New Zealand's North Island.
While some are furious about the vandalism, others support it and believe it exposes the 'truth' about Captain Cook, NZ Herald reported.
A statue of Captain James Cook has been vandalised in New Zealand, with the words 'This is our land' and 'Thief' Pakeha' sprayed onto it
Those same people are of the belief the statue should be taken down altogether.
The words are written on the statue with spray-paint, saying 'This is our land' and 'Thief Pakeha'. Pakeha is the Maori name for Europeans.
'Tear it down and put up a statue of our ancestor Paikea and Porourangi,' one user wrote.
'Good Job! Put something there significant to the Tangata Whenua,' another said.
Share this article
Gisborne Councillor Meredith Akuhata-Brown said the vandalism prompted important debate about the history of New Zealand.
'Somebody is wanting to say something strongly on this issue that is trending in our region, part of me just thought 'well, I am not pro-vandalism but it is activism to some degree',' she told Radio NZ.
Ms Akuhata-Brown said the vandalism incited 'courageous conversations' as to why people have such 'aggressive behaviour'.
'It is based on history and it's based on that history never being given a chance to be spoken of, talked about or understood, and people want that,' she said.
A council spokesperson confirmed the spray paint was removed and security footage was provided to police.
The words are written on the statue with spray-paint, saying 'This is our land' and 'Thief Pakeha'. Pakeha is the Maori name for Europeans
