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.
OHAKUNE’S CARROT
Perhaps one of New Zealand’s most famous Big Thing is the giant carrot at the bottom of Mount Ruapehu, in the town of Ohakune, in Tongariro National Park. North Island of New Zealand. If it’s not the most famous Big Thing, then it’s definitely the most hugged.
As tourists flock to the ski fields of the mountains in the Central North Island, Ohakune is a great stopping place, even more so that there’s a giant carrot to take a picture with.
Back in 1925, the first market gardens were grown in Ohakune, and from there the town flourished in vegetable growing. In recognition of the town’s fantastic vegetable growing abilities and the importance of the gardening community to New Zealand, the 7.5 meter giant carrot was erected by the Ohakune Growers Association in 1984.
While it was the talk of the town (nay, the country) at the time as people argued over its suitability and possibly ridiculousness, it remains there to this day, and New Zealander and tourist alike gather around it every single day.
