Twelve Local Heroes

Coordinates: 43°31′52″S 172°37′43″E / 43.53106°S 172.62872°E / -43.53106; 172.62872
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The Twelve Local Heroes sculptures

The Twelve Local Heroes is a series of bronze busts in Christchurch, New Zealand. Sculpted by Mark Whyte, the objective was to commemorate twelve local Christchurch people who were prominent in their respective fields in the latter part of the 20th century. The artwork series was initially installed in the central city on Worcester Boulevard outside the Arts Centre. Removed after the earthquakes, the busts were reinstated in 2023 at the University of Canterbury campus in the suburb of Ilam.

History[edit]

The establishment of the commemorative sculptures was driven by the Twelve Local Heroes charitable trust. The project had been four years in the making before the bronze busts were unveiled on 18 March 2009.[1][2] The artwork was produced by the sculptor Mark Whyte.[3]

The sculptures were removed from their position on Worcester Boulevard to facilitate the post earthquake restoration of the Engineering block of the Arts Centre of Christchurch. Following the restoration, it was envisaged that they would return. Instead, the busts were installed in January 2023 at the University of Canterbury campus in the suburb of Ilam as part of the university's 150th anniversary.[4] It is envisaged that the Twelve Local Heroes will remain at the university for two years.[5]

Local Heroes[edit]

The Twelve Local Heroes can be grouped by having died prior to the project commencing, by agreeing to be included but having since died, and by being alive.

Deceased prior to project start[edit]

Members of this group had no influence on their inclusion as one of the Twelve Local Heroes, as they had died before the decision was made to create a memorial.

Name Life years Description
Bill Sutton 1 March 1917 – 23 January 2000 artist
Elsie Locke 17 August 1912 – 8 April 2001 writer, feminist and social activist

Deceased since project start[edit]

Members of this group were asked and agreed to be included as one of the Twelve Local Heroes, but have since died.

Name Life years Description
Charles Luney 28 June 1905 – 18 November 2006 building industry leader
Sir Angus Tait 22 July 1919 – 7 August 2007 electronics pioneer and businessman
Sir Robertson Stewart[6] 21 September 1913 – 13 August 2007 industrialist and exporter
Professor Sir Don Beaven 31 August 1924 – 4 November 2009 medical researcher in the area of diabetes treatment and prevention
Margaret Mahy 21 March 1936 – 23 July 2012 author of children's and young adult books
Diana, Lady Isaac 2 September 1921 – 23 November 2012 conservation, arts and architecture benefactor
Sir Miles Warren 10 May 1929 – 9 August 2022 architect
Frank Dickson 11 May 1931 – 2 March 2023 former Canterbury Savings Bank chief executive

Living[edit]

Members of this group were asked and agreed to be included as one of the Twelve Local Heroes, and are still alive today.

Name Born Description
Sir Richard Hadlee 3 July 1951 former cricketer
Sir Tipene O'Regan 1 January 1939 Māori leader

References[edit]

  1. ^ Gates, Charlie (18 March 2009). "Local worthies in the bag". The Press. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  2. ^ Hartevelt, John (19 March 2009). "Creative mistake for a creative writer". The Press. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  3. ^ Whyte, Mark (2009). Twelve Local Heroes : a celebration : set of bronze busts commissioned by the Local Heroes Trust. Christchurch, New Zealand: Christchurch Art Gallery / Te Puna o Waiwhetu, 2009. ISBN 978-0-473-14878-2.
  4. ^ "Twelve Local Heroes art trail opens at UC". University of Canterbury. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Twelve Local Heroes Trail". University of Canterbury. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  6. ^ Robertson Stewart, Christchurch City Libraries.

43°31′52″S 172°37′43″E / 43.53106°S 172.62872°E / -43.53106; 172.62872