A new mascot for Waitomo has been unveiled. Sam the Moa sits on the side of State Highway 37 in Hangatiki.
Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Waitomo has a new mascot, and the local school kids want to give the big bird a warm welcome to the King Country.
It's a special day, with students from nearby Pukenui and Waitomo Caves schools singing, dancing and playing their ukuleles to welcome Sam the Moa.
Parents, neighbours andtourists were there to see the 4.3 metre-tall fibreglass structure unveiled near the roundabout on State Highway 37 in Hangatiki.
Narita Fletcher lives opposite the new mascot and says the new roadside addition will be right at home.
"They do find moa bones in the caves so I think it's a perfect icon for this area."
Waitomo Caves School children agree.
"It's really cool and we're lucky to have it here," Sian Diamond says.
"I think it's a good piece of history to show people about like who we are and what we are as Waitomo Caves", Emma Coleman says.
Sam the Moa was crafted by New Plymouth fibreglass artist Ann Power.
Big Bird Bed and Breakfast owners Ross and Ann Barnes spotted the figure during a visit to the region and just had to have it.
"I walked into her garden and there was Sam in her garden, and I said, oh my goodness, where did you get your moa," Mrs Barnes says.
They decided to buy it for $7000 to attract people to their petting farmlet which is home to over 13 species of miniature animals and big birds.
Mrs Barnes think the Moa will help "people connect the moa to Waitomo."
And within an hour of the Moas unveiling tourists and locals were stopping to have a look.
Waitomo resident Collette Valle says it was a beautiful feature to look at driving past.
"It's more realistic than it thought, and it's good to see something like that for Waitomo."
