KEY POINTS:
The people have spoken - keep the Whitcoulls Santa exactly where he is.
Herald readers responded in their hundreds to the Heart of the City's request for views on the future of the 48-year-old Auckland icon.
Of the flood of emails received yesterday, only about 10 per cent said Santa, in Queen St, was an eyesore with his "seedy" half-wink and beckoning finger, and should be taken down.
But the rest were strongly in favour of keeping Santa, which they called an Auckland icon, a symbol of Christmas and part of the city's heritage.
Kirsty Laurence said she had fond memories of trips into the city as a child especially to see the giant Santa.
"As a kid it was captivating."
Many of those who wanted Santa to stay were more swayed by the laughs they enjoyed at his expense, and while he was "creepy looking" he was uniquely Auckland.
Blogs and networking sites were also abuzz yesterday with the Great Santa Debate.
Canadian Joe Nethery, who lives in Auckland, blogged to family back home that "you can understand why Auckland Santa creeps a few people out" with his waggling finger and misshapen eyes.
A YouTube member put up a video of "Creepy Inbred Paedophile Santa Outside My Apartment".
Some people suggested a lick of fresh paint might help modernise Santa and please the naysayers.
"Perhaps Weta workshop (or someone with good taste) could make some alterations so he doesn't look so dubious," said Sandee Stanley.
Alex Swney, chief executive of the Heart of the City business association, said he was "heartened" by the response not just from Auckland but around the world.
"I've had a couple of emails from London, radio and TV stations have been running polls and we've had calls coming in all day. It's mad, but it's just amazing that people care so much," he said.
Mr Swney said a makeover for Santa next year was possible, and he would definitely be back "bigger and better" - hopefully with support from the Auckland City Council and commercial sponsors.
What the children think about the Santa - Scary or cool?
Gabriel Cheval, 7,
On holiday from France
He thought Santa looked "gross" and the wiggling finger made him think of "a gangster".
Flynn Melhopt, 8,
Of Auckland
Flynn thought Santa was great. "If you believe in Santa then you would know he's not scary." He said if Santa was taken away "I'd protest".
Luan Rocha, 5,
Of Auckland
Thought the Santa was "cool" and if it was taken away, he wouldn't like it one bit.
Shalin Vaidya, 3,
On holiday from India
Taken aback by the suggestion Santa might be taken away, Shalin was strongly in agreement with the "Santa is cool" school of thought.
