New view for Tangaroa after 30 years of city outlook

He has faced the same way since 1976.
But today, more than 30 years since he was erected, the bronze statue of Tangaroa in the sea close to the base of Mauao has been moved _ to face the other way.
The Maori God of the Sea _ who stands on a rock pedestal, crouching with a taiaha in his right hand _ had been positioned to face towards the Port of Tauranga for three decades.
But with the blessing of local kaumatua Morehu Ngatoko and Kihi Ngatai, Tangaroa now faces the entrance to the harbour to challenge visitors as they enter, to make sure their intentions are friendly.
The statue is also there to bid visitors a safe journey on their way out of the port.
The statue was blessed shortly after it was winched into its new position at about 9am.
The statue was donated by former Mayor, the late Sir Bob Owens, to celebrate the centenary of Port of Tauranga and to honour pioneers, both Maori and Pakeha, who helped create it.
According to Maori legend, Tangaroa was a son of Rangi, the sky father, and Papatuanuku, the earth mother. Tangaroa became the god of the sea and it was his role to protect it.
The realignment has been funded by the Port of Tauranga and the City Investment Programme.
It is not the first time Tangaroa has received attention. The 2.7m statue was painted white by vandals over Waitangi weekend in 2004 and needed paint stripper and waterblasting to restore it to its full glory.