At a few minutes before nine yesterday morning, as Napier City Council's Maori Consultative Committee member Ranui Toatoa had just finished a karakia of blessing, three fountains came to life.
The Marine Parade's newest feature - the Manga Pacific, Te toka tu moana (the rock statue that stands steadfast by the sea) burbled and splashed into life and did exactly what Mr Toatoa had told the gathering of about 80.
"May this gift to the city bring pleasure to all who gaze upon it."
It clearly did that, with several passersby, having spotted the three fountains creating a tulip-effect, wandering over to take a closer look.
The $320,000 Graham Weaver-designed feature, which stretches over a series of levels 50m long beside the National Aquarium, is part of the council's ongoing revamp of the Marine Parade seafront, and one of those who was especially delighted to see it spring into aquatic life was Napier woman Patricia Dick.