Despite taking a "gone-burger" stance, Gareth Morgan says he's open to sitting down with the councillors who voted against his $1 million sculpture offer to discuss his proposal again.
Dr Morgan offered to fund and own a 9.9m high wind-driven sculpture created by world-renowned Christchurch artist Phil Price, to be erected on the corner of Marine Pde and Pacific Ave on the roadside outside his apartment block. However, two roadside pohutukawa trees would need to be felled to allow the sculpture to move freely, with Dr Morgan also offering to pay to plant replacement trees nearby.
Despite advice from the newly formed Public Art Advisory Group in favour of accepting the offer, Tauranga City councillors voted six to five against the sculpture.
Mount Maunganui residents and art enthusiasts are urging Dr Morgan to rethink his "gone-burger stance" on the rejected proposal. Dr Morgan said at this stage the current design was "on hold" and he was still considering his next move, but the offer did not extend to paying to erect the sculpture elsewhere.
"Someone even suggested I could pay for and stick it somewhere in Katikati. I'm not interested in doing that. My offer was intended to complement my house and the public could also hugely benefit." Dr Morgan said he was gob-smacked when Tauranga City Council turned down his offer. Sandra Conchie
