Radio hosts unveil big sausage in Tuatapere

The big saus monument in Tuatapere.

The southern town of Tuatapere has been gifted a giant sausage monument and already there's talk among locals of Santa riding it in this years' local Christmas parade.

The self-proclaimed 'sausage capital' was awarded a giant sausage atop a giant fork this morning after radio listeners voted it the small town most deserving of such an honour.

The monument adds Tuatapere to a list of towns around New Zealand with their own novelty food item, including the giant carrot of Ohakune and the giant L&P in Paeroa.

The sausage is 3 metres long and has travelled from Auckland all the way down to the bottom of the South Island.

ZM's Fletch, Vaughan and Megan started the competition several weeks ago, asking listeners where they would want to see a monument.

The trio broadcast the unveiling live from Tuatapere this morning, where a large chunk of the tiny town's 582 locals showed up to have a look and support the community.

Aaron Challis, who owns the local Four Square Supermarket, said the giant sausage was exciting for the community.

"It's really great to be here, the locals can't believe it. They have already found a place for the sausage in the local Christmas parade. There is talk Santa could even ride the sausage."

"Any sort of positive happenings for small towns is important. We'd like to thank the community for their support ... the teachers have actually put it in their curriculum to help kids understand what their town is renowned for."

A crowd turns out to see the big sausage at Four Square in Tuatapere.

The monument will be good news for the town, who were in danger of losing their top (hot)dog status earlier this year after the famous high street butcher closed down.