It is dedicated to the city's founding father, Captain William Cargill, and is approximately 7.5 metres (25 ft) in height.

The monument was designed by Charles Robert Swyer and built in 1863–64, using Tasmanian sandstone,[1] on a base of locally sourced phonolite.

[2] The design, in Gothic Revival style, was possibly partly inspired by Edinburgh's Scott Monument,[3] and features delicate carved lacework and grotesques.

[4] A plaque at the foot of the monument marks the location of the first Salvation Army meeting in New Zealand, held at the site in April 1883.

[4] The Cargill Monument is Category I listed in the register of Heritage New Zealand.