Butterfly sculpture to spread its wings at domain

6 October 2014

A butterfly sculpture designed by a talented Taupo-nui-a-Tia College student will be brought to life on Tongariro Domain.

Taupo District Council agreed to the construction of the sculpture at its September council meeting. The sculpture of a monarch butterfly will stand at the entrance to some flower gardens opposite Tuwharetoa Street in the south of Tongariro Domain.

The aptly named sculpture, Butterfly, was designed by then-Year 11 student Tessa Ralfe at last year's sculpture design competition run by Taupo Sculpture Trust. It was chosen for construction by the trust because of its simplicity and beauty, chairperson Claire Anderson said. It was also an appropriate sculpture for a site where butterflies were ubiquitous in summer. It had to be suitable and cost-effective to take to construction, Mrs Anderson said.

A few minor changes were made to the sculpture to safeguard it against vandalism and ensure it could last a long time, she said. The butterfly will be over three metres high.

Under the council's Public Art Policy, the council can fund half of the total cost of the sculpture, with the other half met by the Taupo Sculpture Trust. Councillors agreed to contribute this cost, which was $2680, to help pay for the construction and installation of Butterfly.

Lake Steel will build the sculpture and is expected to have it completed by early December.

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Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410

Vicki Waterhouse Communications Advisor 07 376 0718 027 484 2549

Taupo District Council

www.taupo.govt.nz