Boulcott Memorial Redevelopment Project

Karl Chitham and Jen Craddock

The Boulcott Memorial – new perspectives on the past

The Boulcott Memorial has stood on the corner of High Street and Military Road for generations. The plaques on the memorial commemorate British soldiers who died as result of a Ngāti Haua raid on a nearby military post in 1846 – an event now known as the Battle of Boulcott Farm.

Four years ago, council was approached by locals concerned that the memorial offers an unbalanced version of history. Now a team is working with the Boulcott family and five iwi groups to redevelop the memorial in a way that redresses that balance, while respecting everyone involved.

Hear about progress so far and the challenges still to come in this fascinating local project.

Karl Chitham is Hutt City Council’s Head of Arts and Culture, and the director of the Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt Te Awa Kairangi.

Jen Craddock is a freelance exhibition developer who helps subject experts and communities to tell their stories in creative ways.