The Whakatane Community Board is excited to announce the unveiling of ' Kiwi Boy', the third sculpture in its Whakatane River Walkway sculpture trail.

The unveiling ceremony will take place at 2.00pm today (Thursday 21 March) on the Warren Cole Walkway, midway between the Whakatane Yacht Club and the Visitor Information Centre.

Chairman Neville Delahunty describes 'Kiwi Boy ' as one of the most impressive projects the Board has been involved in over the past three years.

“The unveiling of this magnificent work of art is the result of discussions with Rotorua Sculptor Jamie Pickernell.  Members of the Board first met Jamie following an exhibition of the 'Bird Lady' in the Auckland Botanical Gardens,” Mr Delahunty says.

“The Board considered a number of design iterations before commissioning the sculpture and since October last year, our members have visited Jamie on a number of occasions to view the work in progress, from the firing and bending of its first toe to the final product.  Jamie has also kept the Board informed between visits by sending through photographs at the end of each week.”

‘Kiwi Boy’ cost $15,000 and has been jointly funded by the Community Board and the Whakatane Business and Leisure Show committee.

“We hope the community and future generations of residents of our beautiful town will be as excited and enjoy this sculpture as much as we do,” Mr Delahunty concludes.