"[3] In 2024 the monument was requested to be changed or moved with community leader Rangimarie Manuel calling it hurtful and politician Ken Mair objecting 'to his ancestors being labelled fanatics and barbarians.

'[2] The park was occupied for 79 days in 1995 in protest over a Treaty of Waitangi claim, an action which split the town and public opinion, garnered significant attention from police and regularly made national news.

[6] Ken Mair, Tariana Turia, Henry Bennett, Niko Tangaroa and Matiu Mareikura were Māori leaders of the occupation.

[14] 15 Māori and one European were killed In the battle; 6 weeks later, the Wellington Provincial Council resolved to erect a monument in recognition of the soldiers' "patriotic services".

The inscription reads: "To the memory of those brave men who fell at Moutoa 14 May 1864 in defence of law and order against fanaticism and barbarism.

"[15] In December 2023, after a request from the Whanganui iwi, the Pākaitore Historic Reserve Board agreed to remove the monument and relocate it where the events of the battle could be explained and put into context.

It was later found that the fountain occupied the site of Whanganui's first school, which opened to cater for Māori children but was also attended by pākehā.

[19] Other sculptors in the park include Protection in Adversity by artist Joan Bullock-Morrell first installed in 1972 and then recommission in bronze in 2003 after it was damaged during the occupation in 1995.