Jurassic-sized fuss over Taupō's new dinosaur sculpture

RNZ News

20-05-2025

Artist Gregor Kregar says the large rock in his sculpture relates to the giant boulders ejected by the volcanic force of Taupō's historic eruptions. The mirror-polished stainless steel Sauropod dinosaur is based on an inflatable toy and represents the town's playful 'holiday destination' aspect.
Photo:
Destination Great Lake Taupō / www.lovetaupo.com
A nearly 10m-tall dinosaur sculpture sitting atop a large geometric rock is the latest attraction in Taupō, but not without controversy.
The Taupō District Council contributed a one-off $100,000 grant towards the sculpture, which was made by the Taupō Sculpture Trust. But the grant has angered some residents, who are facing a rates increase of more than 8 percent.
Taupō Mayor David Trewavas told
Morning Report
artwork always has the capacity to cause controversy.
"We had sort of a dozen well-meaning artists and business people [who] came to us probably 15 years ago to say, 'Hey, let's put a bit of colour into the town, but we'll go away and raise half the money, and would you guys contribute?'"
Trewavas acknowledged locals were facing a large rates rise, but the Taupō District Council committed to the project a number of years ago, and he hoped it would bring more people into town.
Trewavas said he had already heard of people keen to visit Taupō to see the new sculpture.
"A family has just rung from Masterton telling me they are coming up this weekend to have a look at it."
Taupō had a reputation as a place that holds sporting events, with the Ironman and Supercars, and Trewavas said it was time to support the arts community too.
"The poor old arts community, they haven't had much over the years to be fair, and this is our way of demonstrating to them that we support those guys as well. We are all about community partnerships and people getting involved."
And as for the sculpture itself, Trewavas said it had "grown on him", and he shared the reasoning behind a dinosaur.
"[Dinosaurs] used to roam around here. They were in the Mohaka River out on the Napier-Taupō Road."
But ultimately, it was the artists who selected what to install in the town.
"If there's one thing for sure, I'm not going to get the councillors to select the artwork."
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