REBECCA HARPER The Pania of the Reef statue, wineries and Napier Art Deco buildings have won through to the finals of Hawke's Bay landmarks and icons that deserve a prized piece of board game real estate. Monopoly is revamping an old favourite, and it's up to Hawke's Bay residents to vote forour local icons. In the leadup to the 2007 release of Monopoly's Here & Now New Zealand edition, Hawke's Bay wineries, Napier Art Deco buildings, and Pania of the Reef statue were all nominated to take their place on the prestigious board. All three have made the shortlist of 56 to take part in the on-line competition. The shortlist is divided into regions, with one landmark from each region making it on to the board. Then there are four categories - iconic New Zealand features, quirky kiwiana, historic sites and culture and lifestyle. Hasbro spokesperson Jenna Drinkwater said two to three nominees would make it on to the board from each category, but it depended on the number of votes. "Hasbro will make the call later as to which categories get two on the board and which get three. It will depend on who has the most votes," she said. The wineries and Art Deco buildings are up against the Tolaga Bay wharf in the regional category. In the quirky kiwiana category, Pania of the Reef is up against the Ohakune carrot, Bluff oysters, the giant kiwifruit in Te Puke, and the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival. Marketing manager of Hasbro New Zealand, Phil McIntosh, said the vote had been put to all New Zealanders to determine which iconic landmarks would pass go to feature in New Zealand's own uniquely-devised version of the game. New Zealanders can go to www.nzmonopoly.co.nz and vote once a day until February 10 to launch their favourite kiwiana icon or local landmark into Monopoly fame. In a nation of quirky and interesting landmarks, only 22 would earn a place on the board game, so competition between regions was expected to be hot, said Mr McIntosh. Monopoly Here & Now New Zealand edition hits stores for the first time in June/July.
