Kiwiana – “big” things to see in New Zealand.
While I was researching information for my previous blog it dawned on me that we as a country do seem to honour our Kiwiana and things which make us kiwis’ by making “big things” to pay them homage.
New Zealand may be a small country but we compensate with a whole bunch of very BIG things!
New Zealand is about 2.5 times smaller than the state of Texas (USA) alone, however, our huge volcanoes, mountain chains and love for the outdoors inspires us to create big things. Huge things even! If it was ever on your bucket list to see a giant trout or even a humongous soda bottle, then New Zealand is the place to do it. Artists have created enormous sculptures all around the country to promote movies or a local beverage to attract tourists or simply for the love of art. Here are just a few of them to give you an idea of what I mean.
SHEEPDOG AND SHEEP BUILDING
The small town of Tirau in the North Island of New Zealand, is home to some gargantuan animals. A big sheep and a big ram, herded by a big dog, happily guard the highway through the metropolis with a population just under 800.
Corrugated iron is a classic New Zealand building material, but it can also be a creative medium. In Tirau, the artful side of corrugated iron is explored.
You’ll find buildings in corrugated iron all over New Zealand, as well as many “Big Things.” But in Tirau, the humble material is celebrated as a sculptural device. In addition to the dog and sheep, there’s also a cow with a shopping cart, a shepherd outside a church, and a praying mantis.
It all makes for an entertaining rest stop.
