KAWAKAWA - Shovelling dirt can mark the start of a building project, but for Kawakawa's new toilets it is the crowning glory.
Workers yesterday piled more than five tonnes of topsoil over the wavy roof of the Hundertwasser-designed public toilet block on the Northland town's main street.
Next week native grasses willbe planted in the 38 cu m of rich blood-and-bone soil trucked to the site from the Moerewa freezing works 5km up the road.
Austrian-born artist Frederick Hundertwasser has designed the toilets in his distinctive style of curvy grass-topped roofs and colourful ceramic columns.
Now living in a remote valley near Kawakawa, Hundertwasser has made the town the first Southern Hemisphere location for a project reflecting his world-renowned genius.
Richard Smart, who liaises between the builder and Hundertwasser, said the toilets were getting special attention from the artist.
"He is here almost every day. The toilets are getting his personal touch, probably the most of any of his buildings since Hundertwasser House in Vienna."
Mr Smart said locals were showing interest in the construction and were "really happy and excited" about the project.
People on the street yesterday were mainly enthusiastic.
Local businesswoman Ruth Grant picked that the Hundertwasser style would become a theme throughout the town.
"I don't think anyone here would not be supportive."
But local resident Colin Kent did not want to see a penny spent on the $130,000 new-look loos.
"It is a sheer waste of money. There was nothing wrong with the old toilets."
The project was originally expected to cost $98,000, but the estimates went up after it was discovered that the toilets had to be rebuilt from scratch.
Others defend the cost, saying it is money well spent.
Retired retailer Maurice Harrison said the gripes were shortsighted given the boost the toilets offered a small town otherwise best known for the vintage train that travels down the main street.
The toilets should be completed in about two months.
