Slabs of Oamaru stone will begin to take shape into sculptured works of art after the Tauranga Sculpture Symposium got underway today.

The event, part of the New Zealand Garden and Art Festival, was formally opened this morning following speeches, and a powhiri giving the 16 carvers the chance to get to work.

Odele Rapley with her Oamaru Stone. Photo: Supplied.

New Zealand Garden and Art Festival director John Beech welcomed the sculptors from across New Zealand before festival chair Nikki Burley acknowledged organiser Rex O'Brien.

Sculptor Brian George Rikirangi blessed the event and the participants.

For the next 10 days they are working with Oamaru Stone; the harder Taranaki andresite which comes in whatever shapes it is hewn from the ground, and hunks of timber.

The sculptors will have 10 days to complete their artistic creations under the watchful eyes of the public.

Without cover from the elements, the sculptors were forced to use sunscreen and raincoats within the first hour as patches of rain rolled across the city today.

Odele Rapley, from Taranaki, is pleased with the shape of her andresite and says it will lend itself well to the work she has in mind.

The symposium finishes with a public auction on November 22 from 11am. Everyone is welcome to visit the site on the Tauranga waterfront while the sculptors work.