New Zealand - Unknown Medal 1901

[James Hoard]

Does any NZ specialist have more detailed information on this medal, the official name, conditions of award and/or an image/illustrations?

While researching Tonga, I came across the following information about the bestowal of a gold medal on King George Tupou II in 1901: "specially invested by Mr Percy Smith with the same gold medal presented by King George V as Duke of York to Maori chiefs".

Stephenson Percy Smith was apparently the first NZ Government Resident on Nieu 1901-1902. 

In searching for information on the medal the only information I could find were newspaper reports from 1901. They all confirm the investiture as having taken place at Rotorua, New Zealand on 15th June 1901. The Duke of York invested 36 Maori chiefs, 3 Maori members of the NZ parliament and 2 Cook islanders (actually these two could be already included in the 36). Some of the names of the recipients gathered from various newspapers are as follows:

Gold medals to:

Airini Donnelly, Chieftainess from Hawke‘s Bay,.

Wiki Kemp, daughter of Major Kemp.

 

Silver medals to:

Hone Heke, MP

Wi Pere, MP

Parata, MP

Toni Kemp (possibly a different designation for Wiki Kemp, above?)

Hokomo

Nereaha Tamaki

Tamahao

Mahupuku

Pokiha

Te Houkamau, from Ngata Porou.

Waikura, from "the North".

 

Duke to-Pa Ariki, in connection with the annexation of the Cook Islands

John Ariki, in connection with the annexation of the Cook Islands - there is said to be a photograph of him wearing what is labelled as “the Duke of York‘s Gold Medal” in the Evening Post article, but I have not seen the picture and also doubt if that was its official name.

 

Refs:

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 5 1909/07/05

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9174, 17 June 1901, Page 2.

Waikato Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1014, 7 August 1901, Page 2.

 

Many thanks,

JH

[James Hoard]

I have found another newspaper report which lists a few more recipients and gives slightly more detail, including the briefest of descriptions: "All the medals were stamped with the heads of the Duke and Duchess, and inscribed in commemoration of their visit to the colonies, with the date, 1901".

 

My guess is that this medal may resemble the medal in silver and bronze awarded to Chiefs in Canada, later the same year.

 

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York's Commemorative Medal for Chiefs (Canada) 1901, obverse, silver.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York's Commemorative Medal for Chiefs (Canada) 1901, reverse, bronze.

 

The revised list of recipients of the NZ medal, now as follows:

 

Gold medals to:

Airini Donnelly, Chieftainess form Hawke‘s Bay.

Wikitoria [Wiki] Taitoko Kemp, daughter of Major Kemp.

Hone Heke Ngapua, MP

John Ariki Numangatini, Ariki of Mangaia, in connection with the annexation of the Cook Islands - there is said to be a photograph of him (not seen by me) wearing what is labelled as “the Duke of York‘s Gold Medal” in the Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 5 1909/07/05).

Makea Takau Ariki Vahine, Makea Nui Ariki of Rarotonga and Avarua (presented by Col Gudgeon, 11.7.1901)

Ngamaru Povaru Taimarangai Tama-ivi Rongotini Pauro a Pauro Ariki of Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro, and Takutea, consort of Makea (presented by Col Gudgeon, 11.7.1901)

 

Silver medals to:

The Hon Wiremu Pere, MP

Tame Parata, MP

Toni Kemp (same as Wiki Kemp?)

Hokomo

Nereaha Tamaki, Chief of Hamua Pa, Eketahuna. Rangitane tribe.

Tamahao Mahupuku

Major Fox (Pokiha Taranui)

Te Heuheu

Pene Taui

Raniera Wharerau,

Te Houkamau, from Ngata Porou.

Hori Ngakaya te Whanaunga

Waikura, from the North.

 

Pa Maretu Ariki [Duke to-Pa Ariki], Ariki of Takitumu, in connection with the annexation of the Cook Islands (class of medal not mentioned, but probably gold medal rather than silver, as with John Ariki).

 

Ref: SCENES AT THE "HUI." Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 142, 17 June 1901, Page 5

 

Cheers

JH

Edited November 15, 2015 by James Hoard

[peter monahan]

That would make sense, James.  Presumably there were equivalents for some of the African colonies and their traditional leaders as well.  Probably an article in that for somebody!