Signal Hill (New Zealand)
A secondary summit of the hill (height 329 m) is capped by a monument to the New Zealand Centennial of 1940, a large structure including two large bronze figures representing "History" and "The Thread of Life" designed by F. A. Shurrock and F. W. Staub. (colloquially known as 'the buddhas' in local slang for their similarities to the sitting posture of the buddha figure).
Although commissioned for the centenary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the monument was not constructed until the 1950s, owing to the enforced strictures of World War II. A large stone from Edinburgh in Scotland is also incorporated in the monument, symbolising the ties between Dunedin and its sister city.
The monument is surrounded by a scenic reserve 180 hectares in extent. This park was inaugurated as a much smaller park in 1926, and has gradually been extended to its current size. The reserve, located only five kilometres from central Dunedin, is a popular site for both locals and visitors, and affords an excellent panoramic view over the city.
In October 2006, a series of bush fires caused extensive damage to the plantations of forest which cover the western slopes of the hill.
References
- ^ Fraser, Clare (24 April 2020). "Rediscovering freedom: Stadium to Signal Hill". Otago Daily Times.
climb to the top of Signal Hill and visit "the buddhas"
Further reading
- Bishop, G. & Hamel, A. (1993). From Sea to Silver Peaks. Dunedin: John McIndoe.
- Herd, J. & Griffiths, G. J. (1980). Discovering Dunedin. Dunedin: John McIndoe.