Kerikeri's phantom taxidermist has struck again, this time with a roadkill art installation honouring Christmas.
The anonymous artist's latest work appeared at the Kerikeri Rd/State Highway 10 intersection on Friday, featuring a Christmas tree topped by a dead possum dressed as Santa and riding a sleigh laden with presents. Pullingthe sleigh was a dead hare disguised as a reindeer, stretched out at full sprint and with a flashing red nose.
Further down the tree an unconventional Christmas angel - a possum with wings, a halo and a touch of white spray paint - was clinging to the branches.
Previous artworks left at the crossroads poked fun at the nation's politicians during the 2011 elections, encouraged runners in the Kerikeri Half Marathon, and paid tribute to the All Blacks ahead of the Rugby World Cup final.
The artist's identity remains unknown. The best clue came when a possum appeared at the roundabout on bended knee, begging "Lisa" to marry him. In his latest sculpture one of the presents on Santa's sleigh is labelled "To Lisa, from Santa".
