Marking centre of continent

A project to mark the centre of Zealandia, which falls in Wairarapa, is being undertaken by scientist Cornel de Ronde and pop artist Billy Apple.

Zealandia, the New Zealand continent, is a large fragment of the former super-continent of Gondwana that sits between the Pacific and Indian-Australian Plates and is nearly completely submerged by water.

De Ronde said he was approached by Apple who suggested working together on a project to mark Zealandia's centre.

The centre was calculated to be east of the Tararua Ranges in Wairarapa, 12km west-northwest of Carterton, on DoC land. It could be accessed from Mangatarere Valley Rd.

"We have established the boundaries of this large continent Zealandia and the middle of this just happens to be in Wairarapa," de Ronde said.

De Ronde and Apple would like to construct an artwork, and place it in the location to mark the spot. It's estimated it will cost about $5000.

Local councils have declined to assist the project, he said.

"We've decided that if the council can't help us we're still going to go along with it. We're still hoping to raise funds."