Editorial: D-day for art decision

Tauranga City Council will decide today whether to approve the installation of a wind-driven sculpture, called Rimurimu, by world-renowned Christchurch artist Phil Price. Pictured in the proposed location.

Earlier this week 8-year-old Lily Cooper from Tauranga South wrote to us, saying she'd just come back from Christchurch, where there is "a lot of fantastic sculptures and street art".

"I think that Tauranga needs to make a bigger effort to get some more things for the visitors and people who live here to enjoy," she wrote.

Well, Lily, it would seem your wish may come true sooner than I bet you imagined, thanks to investor and local homeowner, Gareth Morgan. Tauranga City Council will decide today whether to approve the installation of a wind-driven sculpture, called Rimurimu, by world-renowned Christchurch artist Phil Price, outside Mr Morgan's Pacific Ave home.

It's the first public artwork to have been considered by our newly-minted Public Art Advisory Group and, like the panel, I'm all for it.

Lily is absolutely right when she says we need more public art in the Bay. Public art engages locals, creates a more vibrant city and encourages people to take ownership of their surroundings, as Mr Morgan is doing.

In this case, the proposal is made even greater by the fact it comes with no price tag for local ratepayers - Mr Morgan has agreed to completely fund the sculpture, its installation and its ongoing maintenance.

While some may question the removal of two pohutukawa trees in order to install the sculpture, this is not an issue for me. Yes, it is always unfortunate to remove native trees, but Mr Morgan has agreed to fund the planting of replacement trees nearby.

Also, pohutukawa have a shallow roots system and the two in question are planted right next to the pavement on the corner of Pacific Ave and Marine Parade, so may well cause council issues as they grow in years to come. Pohutukawa roots are able to grow in air, over surfaces, such as concrete, as they search for crevices, pockets of soil and moisture. They're a tree best planted where their roots are free to grow wherever needed to survive, without affecting wheelchair accessibility for our locals.

As far as I can tell, this is a win-win for us all. Morgan should be praised for sharing his love of art with those outside his four walls, even more so for footing the bill.