Whittaker's Big Egg Hunt raises $200,000 for the national children's hospital

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce with an egg painted in his likeness by Herald cartoonist Rod Emmerson. Photo / Fiona Goodall

A quirky fundraising campaign involving giant decorative eggs has raised more than $200,000 for the Starship Foundation.

The Whittaker's Big Egg Hunt, which took place in March and April, saw 100 giant eggs hidden around Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch for people to find.

The egg sculptures - created by New Zealand artists, designers and celebrities - were then sold, raising $204,333 for the national children's hospital.

Timelapse: Steven Joyce becomes an egg

The Mr Fix-It Egg created by Herald cartoonist Rod Emmerson, depicting the head of Minister of Science and Innovation Steven Joyce, sold on Trade Me for $700.

Emmerson said the amount raised by the campaign was a fabulous effort and he was already looking forward to next year's campaign.

Emmerson's egg was bought by Auckland woman Angela Kiddle.

"The egg's humour really appealed to me," she said, "and buying it was a wonderful opportunity to support Starship. As much as I'd love to keep the egg, I'm actually considering on-selling it and donating the proceeds to raise even more money for Starship."

The eggs sold from $505 to $10,655.

Starship Foundation chief executive Brad Clark said the staff, children and families of Starship were "truly grateful for everyone's support".

The artists who created the eggs included Askew One, Dean Proudfoot, Dick Frizzell, Flox, Keven Mealamu, Mervyn Williams, Misery, Reuben Paterson, WORLD and Zambesi.