Taupo locals have taken to social media to criticise the town’s newest attraction, a long-necked dinosaur sculpture sitting atop a large geometric rock. Some have called it “ugly” and “disgusting.”
The 7 m-high dinosaur called “Boom Boom” is the newest part of Taupō’s sculpture trail and begins on the lakefront and winds through Taupō to Riverside Park.
A Taupō District Council spokesperson said Boom Boom was a Taupō Sculpture Trust project.
“In 2018, the council committed to grant $100,000 towards a destination sculpture if the trust could raise the same amount.”
Taupō district Mayor David Trewavas said he knew some locals were questioning the timing and the cost of the sculpture.
“We’re living in a time when every dollar counts. The decision to back this project wasn’t taken lightly, but it was about upholding the integrity of a promise already made.”
Taupō man, Rod Hansen, said the sculpture was the “biggest nonsense” and he was appalled by the dinosaur.
“When I saw it for the first time, I was gobsmacked by it. It is shocking, we’re spending $100,000 on an ugly statue like this.”
Hansen said he was also left confused about the sculpture’s connection to the town.
“Why would you put a dinosaur in Taupō? It’s weird.”
Another local, Annie Longhorn, said there were other issues to look at.
“There are many bigger issues here. People are struggling to put food on the table. We have parking problems. We have crime going up.
“The $100k could have been better spent elsewhere,” she added.
Photo Credit: Stuff
