The man behind The Giant Poppy project at Auckland Domain is overwhelmed at how quickly the Anzac art installation is growing.
Auckland-based artist Tony McNeight said 26,000 poppies were currently on display, and the 59,000 poppy goal - one for every New Zealander killed or wounded in World War I - would be reached by lunchtime on Friday.
The 59-year-old said thousands of people of all ages had come to place the red metal discs over the past five days, including many schoolchildren. Each poppy petal placed had a personal message attached.
The project has been a year in the making, after Mr McNeight came up with the idea on Anzac Day last year.
The display will be open for viewing throughout Anzac Weekend and will start to come down on April 28, but Mr McNeight said they were looking for a permanent home for The Giant Poppy in Auckland.
