Londoner Williams Herries immigrated to New Zealand in 1881 at the age of 22. A farmer by trade, he was a member of New Zealand’s Parliament representing the Bay of Plenty Region and Tauranga from 1896 until 1923 when he died. He was also the Minister of Railways and Minister of Native Affairs. Sir Herriers’ will bequeathed a sizable sum to the city. The money was used to create a garden at Herries Park within The Strand. This stone arch was erected in his memory in 1929 along the Edward VII Esplanade.
