This sculpture is part of a memorial complex, “The Rutherford Origin”, built on the site of the birthplace of scientist Ernest Rutherford, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908. It is described as “A tribute to one who rose from humble beginnings in rural New Zealand to world eminence. It is also to show New Zealand children that they too can aspire to great heights.”

The sculpture is located at the apex of the memorial up several flights of stairs. A ramp that leads back down from the sculpture to the ground level features 14 information panels that detail various moments in ‘Ern’ Rutherford’s life, with a primary focus on his professional achievements and some attention to his personal life, supported by historic photographs, letters, news articles, official records, quotes, and other ephemera. Mounted on the leading walls of the ramp are the names and crests of various educational institutions at which he studied, taught and completed his research.

The memorial was completed with the involvement of The Rutherford Foundation, and the support of principal patrons who contributed towards the total cost of $400,000. These are listed on site as: New Zealand Tourism Department; Stout Trust; Pub Charity; The Royal Society of London; McGill University (Canada); The Government and People of the United Kingdom; Nelson Pine Industries Ltd.; Honda New Zealand Ltd; Massey University; Department of Scientific and Industrial Research; Ministry of Research, Science and Technology; The Institution of Electrical Engineers; New Zealand Lottery Grants Board; Tait Electronics; and Baigent Forest Industries Ltd, with brickwork and paving by Bob & Corey Brookman, and Reg Simpson. It is unclear which of these contributed towards the sculpture.

The memorial was opened on 6 December 1991 by Governor-General Dame Catherine Tizard, with guests including Rutherford's grandchildren. On 5 August 2022 the statue was stolen, but was found and returned by police two days later. The culprit had tied a rope around the statue, rocked it back and forth until it snapped, then pedaled away with it on a bicycle.

See also:

• Ernest Rutherford memorial (Wikipedia page)