Mount sculpture knocked back

Gareth Morgan's request to install a wind sculpture by internationally recognised Wellington artist Phil Price outside his Marine Parade home has been knocked back by Tauranga City councillors.

The close vote was six-to-five against, with those opposed to the sculpture in Mount Maunganui stating the location was not suitable and the art work would be better housed elsewhere.


Gareth Morgan has seen his tree sculpture request rejected by council. Photo: Supplied.

Those voting in favour suggested the value of having the sculpture on Marine Parade outweighed the fact it has to be located outside Morgan's beach house.

John Robson said he favoured the art, and stated that the location wouldn't favour the art or the artist.

Steve Morris compared the sculpture to the statue of Tangaroa commissioned by former mayor Sir Bob Owens, who paid for the bronze sited at the harbour entrance in a public place.

Meanwhile Leanne Brown insisted that as Morgan is not prepared to consider another location, it would be solely for his personal gain.

But Gail McIntosh supported the venture, saying public benefit would be greater than the personal benefit.

'The work itself is so inoffensive, nobody has said anything against it,” says Gail.

Matt Cowley agreed with Gail's reason for supporting it, while Bill Grainger asked if the city's tree policy was trumped by the arts policy.

The arts policy approved the location for the sculpture, while two of the four pohutukawa trees on the corner would have to be removed to make way for the art work.

Council would also face costs of around $40,000 for widening the berm, realigning the intersection.

There would also be legal costs because in investigating the application, it was revealed that the land was vested as a local purpose reserve in 1935 and hasn't been changed since.

After the vote was lost, Rick Curach suggested council should approach Morgan and request the wind sculpture be placed in another location.

This was passed, but Curach was reminded that accepted, council would be expected to pay additional costs for the sculpture.

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18 comments

Stupid decision

Posted on 17-11-2015 17:13 | By jed

This would have been awesome. Using a weedy old pohutakawa as a reason not to do this is pathetic. This is a small minded decision in my view, but is typical of the tree loving attitude of this council.


Good news

Posted on 17-11-2015 17:50 | By peecee09

You don't just romp up from Wellingtown and say I know how I can improve my outlook towards the mountain ,just cut those trees down and stick up a nondescript metal excuse for a tree. Not on our watch Morgan.


A shame

Posted on 17-11-2015 21:45 | By DandP

that this artificial tree, made with lovely moving steel, wont be replacing the natural pohutukawas that belong in this environment. One could expect it to be great for the first year or two until the sea air starts the deterioration of the moving parts and lovely steel finish. Then no doubt, we - the mugs of ratepayers, would be up to foot the bill for maintainance or replacing it with one of those natural tree things that are already there. Oh yeah, back to the status quo! but in the meantime Mr Morgan would have enhanced his view and deprived the neighbourhood cats of a place to play.


@jed

Posted on 18-11-2015 07:03 | By tabatha

I would rather see a living tree that birds can feed from and use as a nesting place to a piece of sculpture replacing such and being needed to be washed by the rain and providing nothing for birds. This Morgan character was all for stamping out cats so birds could survive, but no thought for bird habitat it seems.


Sooo out of place...

Posted on 18-11-2015 07:38 | By Turk 4

Surely there must be better places for this. It would be SOO out of place there, not in keeping with our beach side town. And as for sacrificing a tree for it - that beggars belief....


Sensible

Posted on 18-11-2015 08:20 | By penguin

The decision was the only sensible one. Morgan can now focus more on feral cats which probably would not have been able to climb up his artificial tree.


Got it right!

Posted on 18-11-2015 09:22 | By Mackka

For once common sense prevailed! Until now, it wasn't mentioned that council would have been footing a $4000 bill plus legal expenses! Close vote at 6-5. Remember the 5 !!


Gift Horses

Posted on 18-11-2015 09:27 | By Gigilo

What an awesome gesture. Retarded reaction as expected. This gift horse can ride out of town to anywhere he chooses. Short sighted Council reaction matches the short terms they will spend in governance. These are the same people who want to spend how much on the Strand foreshore?


Small minded

Posted on 18-11-2015 10:05 | By Kaimai

TCC wants growth. Having Morgan here would have contributed to growth instead TCC have shown shallow minded indecisiveness, a great way to tell the wealthy not to come to Tauranga. Did any of the councillors ask the residents near the cursed pohutukawas for their opinion? Why oh why are councillors discussing trees, are there not greater issues to debate concerning this city?


philistines sway

Posted on 18-11-2015 10:26 | By dstewart

Where is the vision and excitement in this city? It is obvious that neither Len Lye or Hundertwasser would be welcomed here. If there was expense at widening the berm, Morgan would be asked to foot the bill and would probably be happy to do so.


@tabatha...

Posted on 18-11-2015 12:57 | By jed

There is already a forest across the road, and trees lining marine parade...but, at last count I think there were only 0 scupltures. Show some perspective, the birds have plenty of options already. Jeez.


seesee

Posted on 18-11-2015 13:08 | By SeeSee

Congratulations Gareth Morgan for at least trying to brighten the area up. It does not matter where you would liked to have it, there would have been knockers, there always is. Thumbs down to the council.


Come on people

Posted on 18-11-2015 13:24 | By Bop man

I would rather real trees than this but ugly sculpture but, and just because you have money doesn't mean you can have what ever you want.... And I am not against sculptures love the Hairy Maclary ones.


more dough than sense

Posted on 18-11-2015 14:03 | By Players

How about a few moggies painted on your front fence, that should brighten the place up. Leave the trees alone!


Trees

Posted on 18-11-2015 15:45 | By surfsup

Art is such a subjective subject, what somebody sees as a wonderful piece of work others see as a eyesore. The only house that would have benefitted from the removal would have been Mr Morgans. If the piece is such a wonderful attribute to the city you would think that Mr Morgan would be happy to donate it to the city, sighting it on Mount Drury would allow visitors to enjoy not only the artwork but the ocean view. It would now appear that feet are being stamped like a child throwing a tantrum and Mr Morgan not allowing anybody to play with his ball if he can't have it his way. Would this artwork attracted thousands? we will never know, but at least we can still enjoy the wonderful beach and views.


Grow Up TCC Councillors

Posted on 21-11-2015 20:25 | By carpedeum

For goodness sake.Talk about looking gift horse in the mouth !!! What a great opportunity has been missed to GROW UP A BIT from being a seaside town to one with a bit of mature Culture and introduce some Public Art to The Mount, We live here- and the Morgan dwelling is a piece of architectural design which would be GREATLY enhanced by such a sculpture. Also- -at a practical level would prevent the tree roots from disrupting the footpath and getting into the drains.


biased report

Posted on 29-11-2015 10:05 | By DeeGee

I believe the real issue is not the lovely free expensive sculpture that was offered but rather the immoral sounding bribe...I believe the sculpture was offered free on condition that Mr Morgan has council permission to remove two existing pohutukawa trees that were superfluous to Mr Morgans needs...well done council for not having your morals bought by a fat cat!


Got Hairy Mcleary

Posted on 09-12-2015 12:42 | By Towball

Perhaps Gareth would like Garfield be better than ...............that monstrosity he wanted.


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