Rejected sculpture 'no skin off my nose' - Gareth Morgan

Council yesterday declined Gareth Morgan's application to have this kinetic sculpture installed outside his Marine Parade apartments.

Tauranga City Council has been accused of looking a million-dollar gift horse in the mouth by refusing to allow a major sculptural work to be installed on the corner of Marine Parade and Pacific Ave.

It rebuffed an offer by economist and investment manager Gareth Morgan to put the nearly 10m-high kinetic sculpture, Rimurimu, on the roadside outside his apartment block.

Mr Morgan offered to fund and own the red-coloured sculpture by world-renowned Christchurch artist Phil Price.

"It sounds to me like they looked a gift horse in the mouth," he told the Bay of Plenty Times after hearing about the council's decision yesterday.

"Basically, they were getting a million-dollar sculpture for nothing."

Mr Morgan said the sculpture would have complemented his house while providing a huge public benefit by his offer to install it on the roadside outside the apartments. However, he was not interested in the council's request for him to put the sculpture in a better location for public viewing.

"It's a gone-burger ... they have just saved me a million bucks, it's no skin off my nose."

He said Rimurimu, a wind-powered sculpture inspired by seaweed, had been designed for that site.

The council voted 6-5 to decline the offer which would have meant felling two roadside pohutukawa to allow the sculpture to move freely. The top knot of the sculpture comprised 21 moving parts.

Planning consultant Craig Batchelar agreed that removing the trees would have opened up views to the north from part of the house.

However, Mr Morgan said all his views were from massive windows at the front and he liked the pohutukawa because they gave him seclusion. "I am happy for the trees to be there."

Councillor Kelvin Clout supported the offer saying that although there was an element of private benefit, there was immense public benefit. He noted it was the first test of the council's new public art policy and satisfied all six criteria.

Councillor Steve Morris opposed, saying it had been put to the council as a deal or no-deal situation. The sculpture would be privately owned on public land, raising the question of whether it was public or private art. "Good on the resident for having a go, but I don't buy it."

Councillor John Robson said the siting did not honour the art or the artist: "The all or nothing nature [of the offer] does not sit well with my Kiwi sensitivities."

Councillor Leanne Brown said she reluctantly could not support it, saying she was concerned that Mr Morgan was not prepared to look at another site.

"If it was on the waterfront it would be a different story." Councillor Rick Curach said removing the trees would change the landscape quite significantly.

Councillor Gail McIntosh backed the offer, saying the private benefit was far less than the public benefit. "No-one has said anything against this piece of art, it is stunning."

Councillor Matt Cowley said it was a brilliant piece of art. "This is an easy way to get wins on the board."

Mayor Stuart Crosby said the Mount was bereft of public art and the sculpture would have been a great start.

Realigning the roadside to improve public safety around the sculpture would have cost the council about $40,000.

Opposing the siting on the corner were Leanne Brown, Rick Curach, Bill Grainger, Steve Morris, John Robson and Catherine Stewart. Supporting Mr Morgan's application were Mayor Stuart Crosby and Councillors Kelvin Clout, Matt Cowley, Bev Edlin and Gail McIntosh.