Art show snatch gives Hamilton new beef

By GREGG WYCHERLEY

First it was the rugby, now Auckland has snatched a major art show featuring model cows from under the nose of "cow town" Hamilton.

Efforts by a Hamilton group to attract CowParade, one of the world's largest public art events, have been "thwarted" by Auckland - and Hamilton is not happy. It is the city's second loss to the Queen City, after the Waikato NPC final on Saturday.

Hamilton City councillor Ewan Wilson said he was unhappy that Auckland had spent "hundreds of thousands of dollars" to secure the event.

"We are extremely disappointed to hear Auckland has bought the event, and we are wondering at the relevance the cow parade has for Auckland compared to Hamilton."

In January, 35 life-sized fibreglass cows, painted by Auckland artists as part of a worldwide event promoting art and culture, will be placed around the central business district.

Mr Wilson said CowParade was mooted for Hamilton about four years ago.

"There is no doubt we had a good idea to bring the event to Hamilton.

"Auckland seemed to have recognised that, and because we didn't have enough money and couldn't move quickly enough Auckland has beaten us to the punch."

He said it was ironic, considering the derision directed at Hamilton over its reputation as a "cow town".

"Auckland has for years thrown off at Hamilton's dairy heritage.

"Just when it has suddenly discovered it is trendy and sophisticated to celebrate cows, Auckland wants to jump in and grab it for themselves."

But Auckland's Heart of the City marketing manager, Liz Smith, said her group had worked hard for the past year to secure the event.

Ms Smith said CowParade required a large commitment, but she would not say how much the licence fee had cost.

"I doubt whether there would be enough companies in Hamilton that could afford to put it on, and whether their council could afford [it]."

She said the 35 fibreglass cows would be imported from the United States at $10,000 each.

"Auckland is probably the only city in New Zealand that would have enough companies that could afford to pay that."

Ms Smith said Waikato people would get a chance to see the cows at Hamilton's Fieldays agricultural expo next year.