No wind of change over Mt sculpture bid

Mount Maunganui and Papamoa councillor Steve Morris. Photo/file

Councillors opposed to Gareth Morgan's million-dollar Mount Maunganui sculpture offer emerged with their views unchanged after meeting the economist and investment manager.

The meeting took place last Saturday at Mr Morgan's holiday apartment on the corner of Marine Parade and Pacific Ave, next to the roadside where he offered to put the tall wind-driven sculpture inspired by seaweed.

Three of the opposing councillors, Rick Curach, Steve Morris and John Robson, attended the meeting with Mr Morgan. Absent were Bill Grainger, Catherine Stewart and Leanne Brown.

Mr Curach said Mr Morgan made it clear that re-siting the sculpture to another location was not up for negotiation.

SEASIDE HOME: The Marine Parade home of Gareth Morgan.

The near hour-long meeting included a video by Christchurch sculptor Phil Price of what the work, called Rimurimu, would look like.

Mr Morris said Mr Morgan explained clearly that the sculpture was not one of his philanthropic projects but would complement his house with a side benefit for the public.

"He did not change any minds."

Mr Morris said the video showed it was a stunning piece of art.

Councillor John Robson said there was no new information that persuaded him to change his position. He said the project probably should have come to councillors earlier.

Mr Morgan said he took the councillors through his offer, saying it was a win-win situation and asked them what was there to lose. "No one said there was anything to lose."

Instead of the sculpture being a huge benefit to Tauranga, he said it was unbelievable, in his opinion, the opportunity had been lost.

He said the council would have lost two scrawny roadside pohutukawa to allow the sculpture to move in the wind.

The council's Public Art Advisory Group backed Mr Morgan's application, describing Rimurimu as a great piece of art. "No aspect of the work is objectionable," the group said in a report.

Mr Morgan said his people had been involved in months of meetings with the advisory group and council staff on the proposal.

He said Rimurimu could not go inside his fence because there was not enough room. The four supporting supporting councillors also attended last Saturday's meeting. They were Kelvin Clout, Matt Cowley, Bev Edlin and Gail McIntosh. Mayor Stuart Crosby, who also backed the application, did not attend.