KEY POINTS:
A turf war has erupted between Palmerston North and New Plymouth over which of the central North Island towns deserves a spot on an iconic board game.
Battle lines have been drawn over the latest version of New Zealand Monopoly, with mayors from both provincial towns taking part
in a public slanging match - but a mountain literally stands in the way.
Called "Monopoly Here & Now", an online poll will decide which local icons are selected for the updated edition of the classic game, with The Square in Palmerston North, Pukekura Park in New Plymouth and Mt Ruapehu short-listed to represent the central North Island.
Local newspapers have run tit-for-tat front-page stories on the popularity contest, with the Taranaki Daily News calling The Square "a flat, largely featureless plot of land in one of the country's least remarkable cities" and describing the architecture of the clock tower as "austere Soviet-style".
Palmerston North Mayor Heather Tanguay defended The Square as an iconic place that residents hold dear.
"I'm certainly not going to sit back and accept comments made about The Square in the manner in which they have been, and I will urge, and have done so, that our citizens continue voting with gusto for The Square to be in the New Zealand Monopoly game," she said. "We like a good, fair fight. We don't want to get into a slanging match between our region and your region."
After falling behind early, New Plymouth has taken a commanding lead, with 52 per cent of the Central North Island vote, compared with 39 per cent for Palmy. The winner will take all - and the loser will not pass go.
Ironically, the regions that attract the most votes will also take out the swankiest spots on the board. So as Taranaki and Manawatu locals rush online to back their towns - so far making up 33 per cent of the nationwide votes - either The Square or Pukekura Park will become the premier blue-chip property in the New Zealand game.
The revamped Monopoly has New Zealand airports and railway stations, and Kiwi-themed game tokens, "Chance" and "Community Chest" cards. Fifty-six locations have been shortlisted to replace the original streets, and that list will be cut to 22 for the final version.
Rangitoto and the Sky Tower are neck-and-neck in Auckland, with 46 and 40 per cent of the local vote, respectively.
The three Hawke's Bay-East Coast choices - wineries, Napier's Art Deco buildings and Tolaga Bay wharf - are all proving popular, locked at around a third apiece of the votes for that region. Two natural landmarks - Mt Maunganui and White Island - are leading in the Bay of Plenty-Coromandel, while Wellingtonians are considering cable cars over Oriental Parade.
The public's favourite choice in each of 12 regions across the country will be included, as well as picks from categories including "Quirky Kiwiana" and "Historic Sites".
Manufacturer Hasbro New Zealand is releasing the new Monopoly in June to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the New Zealand version of the game.
Product manager Leigh Gibson said the poll would be kept secret in the final week of voting, but she was a little surprised by the passion of the provinces. "New Zealanders aren't traditionally as patriotic as other countries, we're a bit nonchalant, but it's a fun thing to get behind."
Go to nzmonopoly.co.nz (see website link below) before February 10 to lodge your vote.
A tale of two cities
New Plymouth
The landmarks: Pukekura Park; the foreshore walk; Mt Taranaki; the Surf Highway; Paritutu and the power station chimney; Fitzroy Beach; NPBHS' famous Gully Ground.
The weather: When the prevailing westerly brings rain, batten down the hatches. When it gets hot, take a sturdy pair of jandals because those black-sand beaches can broil your feet. Visitors have been known to complain that they have not been able to spot the mountain after a week in the province.
The sporting icons: Graham Mourie (rugby), Dave Loveridge (rugby), Ross Brown (rugby), Martin Donnelly (cricket), the Slater brothers (rugby), Dean Magon (rugby).
Hall of Shame: Gary McKinley (murdered Wendy Snowdon).
Palmerston North
The landmarks: The Square; Manawatu River; Pohangina Valley; Massey University; Himitangi Beach; Fitzherbert Tavern.
The weather: The freezing chill of winter is replaced by a marriage-wrecking dry summer wind.
The sporting icons: Gary Knight (rugby), Mathew Sinclair (cricket), Jacob Oram (cricket), Mark Donaldson (rugby).
Hall of shame: Mark Lundy (murdered wife and daughter). Brett Garner (faked satanic attack on himself).
The verdict
This isn't even a race. Pukekura Park is home to the finest cricket ground in the country; was the background for The Last Samurai; has the country's prettiest concert venue, the Bowl of Brooklands; is home to top gardens; and has been the scene of many a furtive first pash.
The Square is, well, a town square, bordered on one side by the architectural abomination that is the council buildings and frequented by bag-snatching miscreants.
