November 12, 2021

Hori Pokai pic back in public after 100 years

Adam Gifford Posted On November 12, 2021

A Goldie portait of Hauraki rangatira Hori Pokai which has been unseen by the public for more than a century goes up for sale in Auckland next week.

International Art Centre director Richard Thomson says Sibyl Carr bought the painting from Charles Frederick Goldie as a wedding present for her husband Austin Carr soon after they returned to New Zealand from World War 1.

Sibyl Carr had been a nurse during the Battle of the Somme, while Austin Carr was a member of the Auckland Mounted Rifles.

Mr Thomson says Goldie painted Hori Pokai about 10 times, and the Carr painting titled A Sturdy Stubborn Chief had the potential to be one of the most popular Goldie paintings ever with bidders.

Pokai was believed to be the last Māori in the Thames district to have a full mataora.