Taupō Goes Boom Boom - An Explosion Of Sculpture

Scoop

16-05-2025

new major public artwork to be unveiled in Taupō on 16 May
Boom Boom is by renowned NZ artist Gregor Kregar
13th artwork commissioned for Taupō's emerging sculpture trail
artist says this work celebrates Taupō' as 'a playful holiday' destination
Calling all kids, big kids and art lovers… A three-metre stainless steel dinosaur is stealing attention inside Taupō's sculpture park.
The long-necked creature, who sits atop an even taller geometric rock made from cor-ten steel, is the latest in a series of public artworks designed to enliven the town.
A sculpture trail begins on the lakefront, near Rifle Range Road, and zigzags along the water, through downtown Taupō, to the dinosaur's Riverside Park home.
Renowned Kiwi sculptor Gregor Kregar's work, Boom Boom, is the latest piece commissioned by Taupō Sculpture Trust.
Trustee and local glass artist Christine Robb says the organisation hopes to add another 20 artworks to the park over the next decade.
'We already have a dozen pieces around town and Boom Boom is lucky number 13,' Christine says. 'But, since this is the first piece to go into the dedicated sculpture park, we didn't want it to hide in the background and just be something pretty. We wanted it to create a buzz in Taupō. And I think that's happening.'
Riverside Park runs down to the Waikato River and its natural amphitheatre overlooks the marina.
'There's already a lovely walkway down there and we already have a beautiful Phil Price sculpture nearby that's called Flip and moves with the wind. Within the next year, we expect to have two more in the park.'
Christine says the trust has an ongoing mission to enhance Taupō's natural beauty and cultural richness with public art.
'We know it attracts visitors and locals, gives them a reason to walk around the town. It can be educational and it adds to our cultural grit. Whenever I visit another city anywhere in the world, the first thing I do is go and find the public art. It's art with no barriers. You don't need to visit a gallery, it's accessible to all.'
Destination Great Lake Taupō (DGLT) General Manager Patrick Dault is thrilled to see Taupō celebrated as a fun holiday destination: 'I love Boom Boom's mix of ancient history, serious art and holiday fun. It's absolutely appropriate for Taupō and fits perfectly into our classy new townscape,' Dault says.