Restoring a piece of ourselves

A project to restore the statue of Moriori ancestor Tommy Solomon on Rēkohu is much more than a spruce up — it’s a sacred duty, write his whānau.

 

We stand today as proud descendants of Rēkohu, guided by the wisdom and presence of our karāpuna (tūpuna), to speak about a man who holds a sacred and enduring place in our hearts — Tame Horomona Rehe, known more widely as Tommy Solomon.

His name is etched into the memory of our people, not only as a historical figure but as a living symbol of resilience, leadership, and the unbreakable spirit of the Moriori. The restoration of his statue at Manukau, on the southern coast of our sacred motu, is far more than a physical project. It is a deeply spiritual and cultural act of remembrance, honour, and preservation.

Who was Tommy Solomon?

Tommy Solomon was born on May 7, 1884, into a lineage rich with history and mana. He was the only surviving child of Rangitapua Horomona Rehe and Ihimaera Te Teira, both of whom belonged to the Ōwenga and Ōtonga Moriori tribes. From a young age, Tommy was known for his remarkable physical presence — he reportedly weighed 30 stone — but his true strength lay in his character, his humility, and his unwavering dedication to his people.

He was a man of great humour and warmth, someone who could bring people together with ease. His generosity and sense of responsibility made him a natural leader within his community. He lived a life grounded in the values of peace, unity, and service — values that are central to Moriori identity and tikane (tikanga).

When Tommy passed away in March 1933 at the age of 49, his death was felt deeply across the island.

He was mourned not only by his immediate hūnau (whānau), but also by the wider Moriori and Island community. He was laid to rest at Manukau, and it is there, close to the sea and the land he loved, that his statue now stands.

While he is often referred to as the last known full-blooded Moriori, it is not this label alone that defines his legacy. It is the way he lived, the values he upheld, and the aroha he gave to his people that make him so significant.

The history of the statue

In 1984, more than 50 years after Tommy’s passing, the Tommy Solomon Memorial Trust Foundation was established with the goal of creating a lasting tribute to his life and legacy. The statue was envisioned not just as a memorial, but as a symbol of cultural pride and survival.

Sculptor Marinus van Kooten was commissioned to bring this vision to life. He began with a clay model, then created silicone rubber moulds, and finally cast the statue in Ciment Fondu, a durable material suited to the harsh coastal environment of Rēkohu.

The final casting took place on the island itself, a decision that reflected the importance of grounding the statue in the whenua of Tommy’s birth and life. On December 29, 1986, the statue was officially unveiled by then Prime Minister David Lange. It was a moment of immense pride for the Solomon whānau and for all Moriori.

It marked a turning point in the cultural revival of our people — a public declaration that Moriori were not extinct, not forgotten, but alive, proud, and determined to reclaim our rightful place in the story of Aotearoa.

The restoration: a sacred duty

Now, nearly four decades later, the statue has endured years of exposure to the elements. Positioned just 100 metres from the high tide mark, it has faced relentless wind, salt spray, and coastal erosion. The time has come to restore this taonga, not only to preserve its physical form, but also to renew the spiritual and cultural significance it holds.

This restoration is not simply about repairing a weathered monument. It is about restoring the mana of our karāpuna, reaffirming our identity, and ensuring that future generations understand the importance of Tommy Solomon’s life and legacy.

As Tāne Solomon, chair of the Restoration Komiti, has said: “It is also a tribute to all Moriori, a symbol of Moriori resilience showing that we are still here and that will never change.” This work is both a duty and a privilege. It is a promise to our karāpuna and a gift to our mokopuna.

A beloved karāpuna

Tommy Solomon is remembered with deep affection and reverence by his hūnau. He was not only a leader but also a father, a husband, and a protector. Alongside his wife Whakarawa, from Arowhenua in Temuka, he raised five children: Charles Te Teira, Thomas Tūtānekai, Ngāmare, Eric Rangitapua, and Flora, who sadly passed away in adolescence. Through his children and their descendants, Tommy’s legacy continues to thrive.

To commemorate Tommy is to honour the journey of the Moriori people — a journey marked by invasion, suppression, and silence, but also by resilience, revival, and pride. His statue stands as a physical reminder of that journey. It tells a story of survival against the odds, of a people who refused to be erased, and of a culture that continues to grow stronger with each passing generation.

Looking ahead

As we approach the 40th anniversary of the statue’s unveiling in December 2026, preparations are underway to ensure that this milestone is marked with the dignity and respect it deserves. A new sculptor will soon be selected to lead the restoration, and part of the site has been temporarily closed to allow for preparatory work. The restoration will involve careful assessment of the statue’s condition, reinforcement of its structure, and renewal of its surface to withstand future environmental challenges.

But more than that, this restoration is a spiritual undertaking. It is about honouring our hokopapa (whakapapa), strengthening our collective identity, and ensuring that the story of Tommy Solomon continues to inspire generations to come. It is about standing tall in the face of adversity, just as Tommy did, and saying with pride: “We are still here.”

A message to the world

We speak today as descendants of those who were once silenced, marginalised, and misunderstood. But we were never defeated. The statue of Tame Horomona Rehe is a symbol for all Moriori: for those who came before us, for those who walk beside us today, and for those who will follow in our footsteps. By restoring this statue, we restore a piece of ourselves. We honour a man who embodied the values of peace, dignity, and unity. We honour a people who have endured and risen again.

To the world, we say: “Yes, we are still here. We are Moriori. Hokomenetai me rongo — United together in peace.”

E-Tangata, 2025