Hairy and Scarface captured in flight

Hairy Maclary statue mouldmaker Marco Wuest and wife, sculptor Brigitte visited the site where the pieces will be installed.

Hairy Maclary and his friends will be permanently in pursuit of their nemesis Scarface Claw when they are installed on the Tauranga waterfront.

Nine bronze sculptures will be positioned as though they are trying to reach Scarface Claw who will sit on top of a pole.

Hairy Maclary From Donaldson's Dairy characters will come to life among magnolia trees and soft grasses which will surround the cobbled garden they are placed in, next to the playground on the Strand.

Hairy Maclary statue mouldmaker Marco Wuest and wife, sculptor Brigitte visited the site where the pieces will be installed.

The placement of the characters was just as important as design in bringing the characters to life, mouldmaker Marco Wuest told the Bay of Plenty Times.

"The whole placement of the characters and the story behind it is still the original, it has not changed even though the site and everything around it is different," Mr Wuest said. The same seating portrayed in the book will line the sculpture area.

Mr Wuest's wife, sculptor Brigitte, said the waterfront walkway and neighbouring playground would draw people towards the sculptures which would be three times larger than life.

The project is led by Creative Tauranga and funding has come from TECT, City Care, Tauranga City Council, the Government's Tourism Facilities Grant, local Rotary clubs and businesses, as well as individuals in New Zealand and overseas. Last month Creative Tauranga announced it had reached the $660,000 fundraising target needed to complete the project.

Creative Tauranga's Jennifer Pearson, who is assisting with the project, said people would be able to recognise each unique character, which would bring the scene to life.

"People will be able to say, 'Look at Hercules Morse, he's as big as a horse!'"

Hairy Maclary

* There are 12 books in the Hairy Maclary series
* In total, there are 21 books published under the Hairy Maclary and Friends series.
* More than 5 million Hairy Maclary books have been sold worldwide.
* Author Dame Lynley Stuart Dodd lives in Tauranga and received the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 for her services to children's literature and book illustrations.
* In 2012, the Duchess of Cornwell said Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy was one of her favourite books.