Fundraisers hope "seed" unveiling spurs support for Hundertwasser Art Centre project

The Hundertwasser Art Centre's "seed" structure peeks over the top of a construction fence ahead of its Friday unveiling. Photo / Michael Cunningham

The opening of the Hundertwasser Art Centre's "seed" building on Friday will be "a taste of things to come", say the project's backers.

The koru-shaped structure, Te Kakano, at the Town Basin will be completed and unveiled this week, giving locals an experience of all the elements of Hundertwasser's design aesthetic.

The official opening on Friday will begin with a Maori blessing at dawn and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3.30pm. All are welcome to both events.

Fundraising for the Hundertwasser Art Centre now sits at about $13 million or about 80 per cent of the $16.25 million required for the build to proceed in June next year. Te Kakano had cost $300,000 and was an artwork in its own right.

HAC operations team lead Pam Tothill said she hoped Te Kakano would spur more people to donate to the "main event".

"The quality of the artwork in Te Kakano, the mosaics, the iron and brick work, the paving and ceramic columns will all show people what they can look forward to in the HAC," Ms Tothill said.

"We urge everyone to go to our website www.yeswhangarei.co.nz and give just as much as they can afford. Check out our donor recognition schemes and art for sale as well."

Ms Tothill said the HAC team were thrilled that their "Hundertwasser HQ" would be included in the 18th edition of the Lonely Planet New Zealand guidebook. The HQ was one of 13 "Things to Do" listed in the Whangarei section of the guidebook.

The pop-up project hub had been open for almost two years in two CBD locations, currently on Cameron St next to Orrs Pharmacy.

"The locations could not have been better. We are extremely grateful to Ken Orr for allowing us to use his shops rent free while awaiting new tenants," Ms Tothill said.

Ms Tothill said visitors from all over the world had been through the volunteer-run HQ.

The Hundertwasser Art Centre will be built over the former Northland Regional Council/Northland Harbour Board building at Whangarei's Town Basin if the funding is secured by next June.