Jean Batten sculpture finally lands at airport

One of the most controversial artworks in Rotorua's history has finally found a home.

The $100,000 sculpture to commemorate Rotorua-born aviatrix Jean Batten was originally to have been unveiled in April last year to coincide with the New Zealand Association of Women in Aviation conference in Taupo.

It is to go on permanent display at Rotorua Airport.

However, the stainless steel and aluminium work, designed and sculpted by Waiariki Institute of Technology art tutor George Andrews, has been a "political football" for the past two years.

There were arguments about its future location and whether it should have been commissioned by the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust in conjunction with Women in Aviation.

The sculpture was championed by former trust member Lyall Thurston who said he was relieved to hear it was finally being put on display.

"In view of all the incredible stuffing around it has been subjected to, I am happy it has finally landed at the airport and people will now be able to see it," Mr Thurston said.

"It became a political football."

After months of at times ill-tempered debate, the Rotorua District Council decided the sculpture should go in the Government Gardens.

However, that decision was stymied by the Historic Places Trust, which argued the "integrity" of the gardens was being eroded by too many statues and other artworks.

The council also faced a long and difficult resource consent procedure to allow the sculpture to be placed in the gardens.

The problems prompted controversy over the cost and the placement.

A gift to the city from the association and the charitable trust, the 4m high sculpture features Jean Batten, who lived in Rotorua until she was three, in her distinctive flying uniform, flanked by two metal "wings."

A date for the sculpture's official unveiling has yet to be set.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)