Peter Meecham/Stuff
Sir Tipene O’Regan with the bronze bust in his likeness on display at the University of Canterbury.
They were commissioned to honor Christchurch’s heroes, but when the earthquakes hit, the 12 busts were mothballed.
More than a decade later, they can be seen again, recognizing the important local figures who have made significant contributions to the city’s creative, sporting, business and social life.
They contain writer Margaret Mahy, academic Sir Tipene O’Regan and architect Mr Miles Warren.
The 12 “Local Heroes” bronze busts were placed outside the arts center shortly before the 2010/11 earthquakes and have not been on public display since.
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They have now been installed as an art trail on the Ilam campus of the University of Canterbury (UC)..
The 12 busts were sculpted by UC arts alumni Mark Whyte and are on loan from the Canterbury Museum, at the request of Steve Wakefield on behalf of the Local Heroes Trust.
Peter Meecham/Stuff
Manuhaea Maramu O’Regan, Semi Johnson, Sir Tipene O’Regan and Lady Sandra O’Regan.
A special unveiling took place at the university on Friday, attended by Whyte, O’Regan and relatives of the “Local Heroes”.
University of Canterbury celebrates 150 yearswith events scheduled throughout 2023. The official ‘anniversary’ is on the 150th anniversary of the day UC was founded on June 16, 1873.
The full list of “Local Heroes” is:
- Donald Beaven
- Frank Dickson
- Sir Richard Hadlee
- Lady Diana Isaac
- Elsie Locke
- Charles Luney
- Margaret Mahy
- Sir Stephen O’Regan
- Sir Robertson Stewart
- William Suton
- Sir Angus Tait
- Mr Miles Warren