1928: Another Liberal Monument
October 27, 2019
By AHNZ
Twice a hill-top monument was built to North Otago Liberal Mafia Lord, Jock McKenzie. The first was upon Pakihiwitahi (Pukehiwitahi) Hill (1902.)According to legend, Pakihiwitahi Hill had been a cursed Maori chief. Pakihiwitahi took things from the new country he had recently arrived in that did not belong to him and the gods punished his transgression. McKenzie and his Liberal State also settled New Zealand and took things that did not belong to them but his monument on Pukehiwitahi crumbled (1918.)
Not perturbed, McKenzie’s kinsmen erected a monument to their chief a second time. Trying their luck this time at Puketapu Hill (“Sacred Hill”) it pleased the old gods for the cairn to remain to this day. This hill was once the slave-wife of Chief Pakihiwitahi who followed her master’s bad example and was likewise cursed to be a dead volcano.The gods and I think it’s more fitting that McKenzie be memorialised with a slave woman rather than a chief. He was, after all, second fiddle to leaders of greater stature who ruled the Liberal Party and New Zealand; Ballance and Seddon.
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Note. 8 Nov, 1902: Jock McKenzie monument 1.0 unveiled
Note. 12 June, 1932: Jock McKenzie monument 2.0 unveiled
Note: This second Liberal Monument was given the breath of life under the influence of Joseph Ward coming to power once again in 1928. It was ready by 1931.
See also 1901: Death of John McKenzie
See also 1942: Kelly’s Canter
Image ref. McKenzie Monument 1.0; Otago Taphophile
Image ref. McKenzie Monument 2.0; Te Ara
Ref. AHNZ Facebook Post
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