Tyler Neal, 9, just won a Family Pass to Rainbows End. Photo / George Novak
Tyler Neal, 9, just won a Family Pass to Rainbows End. Photo / George Novak
The 1.3-tonne wooden rainbow that once marked the entrance to theme park Rainbow's End visited Tauranga yesterday on the search for a new home.
Rainbow's End is developing a new front gate and has removed its 30-year-old rainbow to make way for the new entrance.
Marketing manager Katharine Murray saidRainbow's End wanted to find somewhere to re-home the rainbow where it could continue providing joy for many more years.
The team decided a road trip through the North Island would be the best way to find a new home.
The "Re-Home the Rainbow Road Tour" began last Monday in Manukau and has stopped at towns all over the North Island before visiting Tauranga yesterday.
Ms Murray said the response to the tour had been positive.
"The kids love seeing the rainbow and it's great to be able to tell everyone about our new front gate.
"Everyone has really enjoyed the opportunity to take photos and we have been told of visits and memories of Rainbow's End from people on the way," Ms Murray said.
"A lot has changed over the years and there has been so much development."
Leah-Jade Rawiri, 1 left and Amyjane Watts, 3 of Welcome Bay. Photo/George Novak
Ms Murray said that people had suggested ideas for the rainbow's new home - with many saying they would like to see it end up somewhere that still gives people joy such as children's hospitals or playgrounds.
On the Rainbow's End website, there is a competition where people can upload a photo of a New Zealand attraction and place a rainbow over it.
"It's a lot of fun and we have had very creative entries," Ms Murray said.
They have ranged from people's backyards to sport stadiums, beaches and, of course, on other iconic landmarks - such as the Beehive or alongside Paeroa's L&P bottle - the road trip got that actual photo today.
"It was suggested as a replacement harbour bridge and placed as a rugby ball at the kick off of the last All Blacks game so lots of fun suggestions as well as serious ones."
While in Tauranga, the rainbow visited Friends on Fraser Daycare in Katikati and Esquires Coffee in Papamoa before stopping at Countdown on Cameron Road.
The rainbow
* 3420mm high * 7230mm wide * 1.3 tonnes * Made of timber and plywood with internal metal bracing * In very good condition.
