Footrot Flats' creator Murray Ball's funeral will be held in Gisborne this afternoon.
Ball died on Sunday, aged 78, after a battle with Alzheimer's disease.
The service will be held at Bushmere Arms at 1pm today.
Gisborne District Council moved the city's Wal and Dog statue to the venue from its usual spot beside the Taruheru River for the service.
"The council felt it was a fitting gesture given the contribution that Murray Ball has made to our community here and internationally," Gisborne mayor Meng Foon told the Gisborne Herald.