A giant dinosaur sculpture in Taupō, New Zealand, has sparked excitement—and some disagreement. The nearly 10-meter-tall statue stands on a large rock and was funded in part by a $100,000 grant from the Taupō District Council. This has upset some locals, who are also facing an increase in their rates (a kind of local tax) of more than 8%.
Mayor David Trewavas explained that the project began years ago when local artists and businesspeople suggested adding more art to the town. They promised to raise part of the money themselves if the council helped out. Even though the council agreed back then, some residents are now unhappy about the timing, given the rising costs in the area.
Still, Mayor Trewavas believes the sculpture will attract more visitors. He said a family from Masterton already plans to visit Taupō just to see the dinosaur. Taupō is well-known for sports events like Ironman races and Supercars, but the mayor says it’s important to support the arts, too.
The dinosaur was chosen by the artists, not the council. Trewavas shared that dinosaurs once lived near the area, including around the Mohaka River. He also admitted the sculpture has “grown on him” over time.
While not everyone agrees with the decision, the goal is to bring more colour and creativity to the town,
