Sculpture of Godwits Foxton 2015

Description

In 2015, a new winged sculpture was erected at Foxton's southern entrance on State Highway 1.

It comprises four forged metal godwits in flight atop aged timber posts.

The metal birds celebrate the annual visit of thousands of the migratory birds to the Manawatu Estuary, a designated Wetland of International Importance, south of Foxton Beach.

Godwits are thought to make the longest non-stop flights of any birds, flocking every year from Alaska to several spots in New Zealand, then to Korea and China, and back to Alaska, a round trip of about 29,300km.

The Foxton Community Board approved the sculpture in February [2015] and the [Horowhenua] district council gave it the green light in March.

It was allocated $69,000 in the Long Term Plan.

The artwork is by Levin's The Old Foundry design firm, which quoted $45,700.

Some of the remaining budget will go to landscaping around the sculpture.

Identification

Date

June 5, 2015