logo
Taupō dinosaur sculpture Boom Boom creates a stir at Riverside Park

Taupō dinosaur sculpture Boom Boom creates a stir at Riverside Park

NZ Herald19-05-2025
A lot were critical of the sculpture with people questioning the dinosaur's connection to Taupō and saying it was a 'waste of ratepayer money'.
Amanda Maclaren described it as an 'Eyesaur', with Wendy Johnson commenting it looked 'tacky ... and ridiculous'.
Maxine Hay commented: 'Good god!! And how much did THAT MONSTROSITY COST', while Lynette Clunie said it looked like 'a cheap foil party balloon' for kids.
However, other people disagreed, saying it was 'cool'.
Thea Davies commented: 'Love it, brought a smile to my face when I saw it earlier - can't wait to see what else gets added to the trail'.
Kimberley Gillies agreed. 'He is fabulous! Well done Taupō Sculpture Trust.'
Boom Boom was created by Auckland-based artist Gregor Kregar and is the 13th artwork of Taupō's sculpture trail, which starts on the lakefront near Rifle Range Rd, continues through the town and culminates at Riverside Park.
The park will be transformed into a dedicated sculpture park to revive the space, with Boom Boom being the first of 21 artworks Taupō Sculpture Trust hopes to add to the park over the next decade.
In Kregar's concept art document, he explained the inspiration behind the piece was Taupō's environment.
'Taupō is an extremely important geological site and has produced two of the world's largest eruptions.
'My work makes reference to this history and how it has shaped and influenced the area.'
The rock base would echo 'the giant boulders that would have been ejected by the volcanic force of the Taupō eruptions ', while the Sauropod dinosaur would resonate 'with the pre-historic history of the location'.
Kregar also said the style of the dinosaur was inspired by an inflatable toy to represent the town's standing as a 'playful holiday destination'.
As part of the 2018-28 long-term plan, Taupō District Council agreed to give the trust a one-off grant of $100,000 towards a 'destination sculpture' provided the trust could raise the same amount.
Talking to the Waikato Herald this week, Taupō Mayor David Trewavas said the arts community had waited a long time for support and deserved the grant.
'We are quick to support lots of sporting events, like the Ironman and Supercars, and no one says a thing ... Why can't the arts community have a go.'
Trewavas wouldn't comment on what he thought of Boom Boom.
'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ... It's certainly a bit out there, but art is meant to spark conversations. [Boom Boom] certainly does that.'
Councillor John Williamson, who holds the council's Arts and Culture portfolio, agreed.
'[The sculpture] created a lot of interest ... I personally have no objection to it.'
Williamson said he didn't believe the sculpture was a waste of money and believed it would be a 'great asset' to the town.
The sculpture park project was granted resource consent from the council in November 2023.
The trust wanted to revive the park which they believed was 'under-utilised', apart from being 'phenomenally successful for events like the Summer Concert'.
Within the next year, the trust expects to add two further sculptures.
All sculptures are selected by the trust.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

From Siberia to the South Pacific
From Siberia to the South Pacific

RNZ News

time6 hours ago

  • RNZ News

From Siberia to the South Pacific

This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions. Novosibirsk Opera House; Lev Sivkov's home town. Photo: Alexander Klink If Lev Sivkov wasn't a musician, maybe he'd be a farmer. The Siberian-born cellist is in New Zealand to play the solo role in Britten's Cello Symphony with Orchestra Wellington , along with making chamber music as one third of the Levansa Trio. Growing up in Siberia gave him a deep appreciation of nature, something he also enjoys when he comes to New Zealand. It's Sivkov's third visit to Aotearoa. His friendship with fellow Levansa players (New Zealand-based violinist Andrew Beer and pianist Sarah Watkins) has made him more than an occasional fixture in the NZ chamber music scene. The Levansa Trio already has one album out on the Atoll label and there are plans to record another during the cellist's current trip. Levansa Trio: Andrew Beer (vln), Sarah Watkins (pno), Lev Sivkov (cello), Photo: Supplied Wellington Chamber Music Trust Sivkov spoke with RNZ Concert ahead of his gig with Orchestra Wellington, and part-way through his tour with the Levansa Trio. He certainly likes to mix things up. A few weeks back he was leading the cello section of the orchestra of Opernhaus Zürich in a concert performance of Brahms' 4th Symphony. Sivkov met the New Zealand members of the Levansa Trio through an ex-pat Kiwi currently living in Switzerland. This year's tour has already taken the ensemble to Hamilton, and there are also has concerts in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Wairarapa. Sivkov describes Britten's Cello Symphony, which he wrote for the great Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, as a "very intellectual" work, but one which rewards close listening. "It's an old joke about Russian literature: there are books where the reader suffers, there are books where the writer suffers, but when both reader and writer suffer - that is the great book of Russian literature." He suspects Britten had that sense of Russian depth when he wrote the Cello Symphony. Sivkov still has a soft spot for the "tough" old-school Russian teachers of his youth, although he wouldn't necessarily teach his own students that way. Maybe something between the old Russian approach and the more liberal ways of Western Europe. Does he miss Russia? Yes, although if he went back to Novosibirsk he probably wouldn't work as a full-time cellist, maybe he'd take up farming - although he's not exactly sure what sort of farmer he would be. Funnily enough, the last concert of his current NZ tour with the Levansa Trio will be on an apple orchard in Wairarapa. "Perhaps I can discuss farming options when I am there," he jokes. RNZ Concert host Bryan Crump and cellist Lev Sivkov. Photo: RNZ

Coldplay kiss cam scandal: HR chief Kristin Cabot resigns
Coldplay kiss cam scandal: HR chief Kristin Cabot resigns

NZ Herald

time8 hours ago

  • NZ Herald

Coldplay kiss cam scandal: HR chief Kristin Cabot resigns

Kristin Cabot resigned as HR chief at Astronomer after the Coldplay kiss cam scandal. Picture / Supplied Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. Already a subscriber? Sign in here Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen. Kristin Cabot resigned as HR chief at Astronomer after the Coldplay kiss cam scandal. Picture / Supplied The woman at the centre of the Coldplay kiss cam scandal has resigned. Kristin Cabot, who was caught on the jumbotron canoodling with her boss Andy Byron at the UK band's Boston concert last Wednesday, has stepped down as the HR chief at Astronomer, a job she held for less than a year. The New York-based tech company confirmed the news in a statement on Thursday, US time. 'I can confirm that Kristin Cabot is no longer with Astronomer, she has resigned,' a spokesperson for the company told Page Six. It comes days after Byron also resigned from his job as the firm's CEO.

Running Into The Sun - National Theatre Tour Launched Today
Running Into The Sun - National Theatre Tour Launched Today

Scoop

time9 hours ago

  • Scoop

Running Into The Sun - National Theatre Tour Launched Today

Winner of BEST THEATRE at the 2024 Melbourne Fringe returns home TICKETS ON SALE NOW Melbourne-based, New Zealand theatre crew a2 Company are bringing their breakout work Running into the Sun home to Aotearoa. The show had a breakthrough season at the 2024 Melbourne Fringe, winning the notable combination of Best Theatre and Best Emerging Company out of more than 400 Australian and International shows. Written by Ben Ashby (former Artistic Director of Long Cloud Youth Theatre) and developed by the a2 Company ensemble, Running into the Sun is a one act play with a three piece jazz band and four contemporary dancers. The story follows Mary (Jasmine Susic) and Ash (Ben Ashby) at their university graduation house party, as they navigate an unexpected pregnancy and a flash flood hits their hometown. 'messy, joyous, heartfelt and completely off the chain.' - 2024 Melbourne Fringe Festival: Judges' Picks. Running Into The Sun is a bold and empathetic work exploring what it means to be young and managing personal crises against the increasingly surreal backdrop of international climate disaster, political instability, and live-streamed war. After their success in Melbourne the a2 Company are excited to bring this show back home. 'This show could not be more specific to the New Zealand experience', says Ashby. 'I was at my Aunts house in MacAndrew bay, writing about the characters learning of a flash flood in their home town, and I got an emergency alert, telling me I was stranded, because the only road back into Dunedin had been closed due to slips. - At least I got a lot of writing done that weekend!' TICKETS ON SALE NOW Wanaka Hāwea Hall: 7 September TICKETS Christchurch Chch Arts Centre: 9 - 14 September TICKETS Auckland Basement Theatre: 16 - 20 September TICKETS Wellington Te Auaha: 1 - 4 October TICKETS a2 Company was founded in Te Whanganui a Tara - Wellington by Ben Ashby (Artistic Director Long Cloud Youth Theatre 2020-2023) and Nadiyah Akbar (Footnote NZ Dance, Movement of the Human, Joel Bray Dance). The a2 Company ensemble for the 2025 Aotearoa Tour of Running Into The Sun is: Choreographer Nadiyah Akbar; Dancers Nadiyah Akbar; Alec Katsourakis, Jasmine Susic, Luke Romero; musicians Toby Leman, Lennox Grootjans, Seth Boy; actors Ethan Morse, Ben Ashby; and designer Asha Barr.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store