25 Big Things In North Island | New Zealand Giant Sculptures
New Zealand is a small country but it does have a lot of BIG things. What I mean by that is that New Zealand loves giant sculptures and, I’m not talking amazing artworks, I’m talking wacky, novelty sculptures. Imagine yourself driving down the highway and seeing a giant parsnip with a big grin on its face and thinking, “Was that really a giant, smiling parsnip we just saw?”. The answer is “Why, yes, it was! Welcome to New Zealand!”
New Zealand loves giant sculptures and they can be seen in many small towns across the country. The ‘Big Things’ of New Zealand, as they are also known, usually pay homage to the culture of the town and the things that the areas are known for.
Most of the time the big sculptures you will find them by the side of the road, such as at the entrance to a town or in the town square.
Big Things North Island New Zealand Road Trip
During my three years of adventuring across New Zealand, I found it great fun to visit these giant sculptures. You will find there are plenty of awesome sculptures hidden around New Zealand, from big apples to giant surfers, anthropomorphic carrots and talking poles, enormous sandflies, fish and so many birds.
In this post, you will find a guide to all of the North Island’s Big Things – an amazing 25 Big Things! With a map and plenty of photos in this blog post, you will be well equipped to go giant sculpture hunting across New Zealand’s North Island yourself. On your journey, you’ll learn about the ‘kiwiana’ of New Zealand and the cultural or historical significance of the places you visit.
If you’re road-tripping around the North Island, you could even use this list as a sort of ‘New Zealand Road Trip Bingo’ (just in case you needed to make your trip extra, extra fun!).
Let’s go!
North Island: 25 Big Things – Giant Sculptures In New Zealand
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‘Big Things’ Giant Sculptures North Island Map
I created a map in Google Maps showing all the BIG Things in New Zealand. You can save this map by hitting the star ★ button and use it for your road trip across New Zealand!
25 Big Things In North Island Photos, Info & Locations
Here are giant sculptures and big things in the North Island of New Zealand – organised from north to south.
1. Mangawhai – Skateboard 🛹
Kicking off giant sculptures in the North Island is the newest addition to New Zealand’s ‘big things’ – a giant Skateboard in Mangawhai.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee created the big skateboard for the 2020 Olympics to showcase skateboarding as a competitive event for the first time.
Before the Olympics, a team took the skateboard on a road trip across New Zealand stopping at 42 locations.
The giant skateboard sculpture is now the world’s largest skateboard. It is 12 metres long, 3.1 metres wide, and weighs 800kg.
Amazingly, the skateboard is rideable as it has functioning wheels and can roll along the ground. However, the Guinness World Records does not consider it a ‘real skateboard’ because it cannot turn.
Nevertheless, the giant skateboard certainly is impressive!
Mangawhai gave the giant skateboard a home, and in October 2024 (NZHerald) a team installed it at the entrance to the Mangawhai Activity Zone skatepark.
If you’re in Mangawhai, I recommend doing the Mangawhai Cliff Walk. It is a beautiful trail to a natural sea arch.
Location of Giant Skateboard: 191 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Heads, Mangawhai 0505, New Zealand (Google Maps)
2. Auckland – Gibbs Farm
This huge outdoor sculpture gallery doesn’t fit the criteria for New Zealand’s big things you’d find at the side of the road, but it is worth including in this list.
The famous Gibbs Farm has caught worldwide attention recently thanks to a Tom Scott video (YouTube) about the giant cartoon napkin sculpture (Horizons by Neil Dawson). The big ‘hanky’ appears to be resting on the hillside.
This isn’t the only giant sculpture at Gibbs Farm. The outdoor sculpture park has several large sculptures.
Visitors can enjoy viewing them by wandering the grounds.
Unfortunately, visiting Gibbs Farm is not easy because the farm is privately owned. If you want to visit you will need to organise it in advance. You may need to pay a (quite highly priced) entrance fee, plus the park is subject to limited opening times. As far as I know, the park is only open a few days per year.
For more information, you can visit the Gibbs Farm website. Alternatively, check out this blog post by Blogger at Large who shares their experience.
Location of Gibbs Farm Outdoor Sculpture Park: Kaipara Coast Highway, Makarau 0984, New Zealand (Google Maps)
3. Kaiaua – Oystercatcher
Next up is a sculpture of one of New Zealand’s most prolific birds – the oystercatcher. With their iconic long, orange beak and round, black body, you will see the oystercatcher all across New Zealand.
Visiting the small settlement of Kaiaua, you will see a large sculpture of this interesting bird by the shore of the Firth of Thames.
Artist Tony Johnston created this sculpture to represent the mother of all oystercatchers.
In Maori, the name ‘Torea Mangu’ means black oystercatcher.
Kaiaua’s sculpture is the world’s largest sculpture of an oystercatcher and it symbolises the wildlife of the Firth of Thames.
Artist Tony created the sculpture in 2005. It spans over 4 metres in length, stands 3.5 metres tall, weighs 2.5 tonnes and is constructed of ferrocement.
The sculpture is located next to a popular Freedom Camping area by the coastline. I stayed here in my campervan and I highly recommend it as a place to stop between Auckland and Coromandel.
Location of Big Oystercatcher: 1144-1146 East Coast Road, Whakatīwai 2473, New Zealand (Google Maps)
4. Thames/Kopu – Jandal (Flip Flop) 🩴
Hop over to the other side of the Firth of Thames and you will find another giant sculpture – a big flip-flop!
Known as ‘Jandal on the Mandel’, this large bench shaped like a giant shoe is located between Kopu and Thames alongside the Hauraki Rail Trail.
They unveiled the big flip-flop in 2018, making it a relatively new addition to New Zealand’s big things.
But why a jandal?
It was the winner of a Thames Public Art Trust Open Sculpture Design Competition. The team chose the shoe because they believe that everyone in New Zealand loves and uses jandals – fair enough!
Thames is the gateway to the beautiful Coromandel forest park with a gorgeous coastline, beaches and mountains.
Location of Giant Jandal: 366 Ngati Maru Highway, Thames 3578, New Zealand (Google Maps)
5. Paeroa – L&P Bottle 🍋
Possibly New Zealand’s most famous giant sculpture is the Lemon & Paeroa Bottle. You will find the big L&P Bottle in the small town of Paeroa.
L&P is one of New Zealand’s most iconic drinks and has existed since the early 1900s. If you haven’t tried it, it is a sweet and fizzy lemon-flavored drink – pretty tasty!
L&P originally made the drink with lemon juice and naturally carbonated water from Paeroa.
Coca-Cola now makes the soft drink and they also maintain the giant L&P statue.
The giant bottle has changed over the years. The company first created it in the 1960s and featured it in a TV ad in the 1990s.
In 2002 the town council placed the big L&P bottle its current position in Ohinemuri Reserve.
The big Lemon & Paeroa Bottle is made of concrete rings and stands 6.8 metres tall, and measures 1.3 metres in diameter.
It has become iconic of New Zealand and one of the most photographed places in the country (along with this amazing lake in the South Island).
A visit to the giant L&P Bottle is a fun stop on a road trip from the Coromandel towards the Bay of Plenty.
The sculpture is located by the site of Highway 2, but there is a small park that has been built around the bottle with benches and bins. It is next to the Ohinemuri River. There is a small parking area and a public toilet.
Down the highway from Paeroa is the Karangahake Gorge – a fun historical gold mining area that is well worth a visit.
Location of Giant L&P Bottle: Giant Lemon & Bottle, Paeroa, Paeroa 3600, New Zealand (Google Maps)
6. Tatua – Can Of Dairy Whip
Heading into Waikato’s dairy country along Highway 26 you’ll find the Tatua Co-operative Dairy Company. The dairy factory is famous for its ‘Dairy Whip’ – a spray cream that comes in a can.
The factory branded one of the giant stainless steel silos to look like a giant can of the whipped cream.
The iconic dairy whip is a popular photo spot for tourists travelling through Waikato.
In 2016, the locals were shocked when it ‘crumpled’ (Stuff). Human error caused the pressure inside the silo to deflate the can (Stuff). Thankfully it was replaced and so the dairy whip silo is as good as new!
In 2019 the Tatua Dairy Company gave the silo a new look (Dairy News). Previously, the silo featured the old dairy whip branding. Now it features the new branding.
Location of Giant Can of Dairy Whip: 3434 State Highway 26 Tatuanui, Morrinsville 3374, New Zealand (Google Maps)
7. Morrinsville – Mega Cow 🐄
Continuing in Waikato’s dairy country you’ll find Mabel the Mega Cow. The giant cow statue is 6.5 metres high and is located on Thames Street in Morrinsville.
Mabel’s story began in 1971 when Morrinsville Mayor Laurie Maber suggested that a large cow should be built to acknowledge the town’s dairy farming industry. Laurie was also the founder of Power Farming, a Waikato farm machinery business, since the 1940s.
The idea for a giant cow sculpture did not get much support at the time. But over the years, smaller cows began popping up in Morrinsville. When the idea took off, the old Mayor knew it was time for the Mega Cow.
So it wasn’t until more than 40 years later in 2017 that Mabel the Mega Cow arrived. Laurie Maber passed away in 2024 and he and his wife’s ashes are buried under the plaque of the cow (Stuff).
The Power Farming company is still a sponsor of the Mega Cow.
The town’s love of cows did not stop with Mabel the Mega Cow. This is now a herd of 60 cow statues around the town (see the full list on Herd of Cows Morrinsville).
The new collection of life-size fibreglass cow sculptures in Morrinsville makes the street art trail. A map of the ‘Morrinsville Street Art’ trail is available at the Morrinsville i-Site or online.
Location of Mega Cow: 86 Thames Street, Morrinsville 3300, New Zealand (Google Maps)
8. Matamata – Jockey & Horse 🏇
Many visitors to Matamata will only go to see Hobbiton (see recommended tours on Get Your Guide), undoubtedly the top tourist attraction in New Zealand.
So you may be surprised to learn that Matamata actually has strong connections to the horseracing industry. It is also known as the horse racing capital of New Zealand.
The horse racing industry employs 30% of the towns people (Racing Te Aroha).
Horse racing has been a part of the town since the 1870s and the Matamata Racing Club was established in 1919.
In homage to this history, a big sculpture of a jockey riding a horse was unveiled in the town centre in 2021.
The sculpture is now symbolic of Matamata and ties in with its existing slogan ‘The Town That’s Racing Ahead’.
Kiwi sculptor Adrian Worsley designed the sculpture and he made it from recycled materials (locally sourced scrap metal).
The giant jockey and horse sculpture weighs 2.5 tonnes.
Location of Giant Jockey and Racing Horse: 61 Broadway, Matamata 3400, New Zealand (Google Maps)
Related Read: 10 Unmissable Experiences In The North Island, New Zealand
9. Te Poi – Cow & Calf
Further down the road in Waikato and continuing on the cattle theme is the Te Poi Cow and Calf.
These cute mummy cow and baby calf statues have been outside the Te Poi Tavern since 1995.
Gordon Rose, a sculptor, made the 6-metre-high big cow with concrete.
Locals nicknamed the country pub ‘The Big Cow’ after the cow became a local icon.
Lots of tourists stopped to take photos of the cow, so Gordon Rose made another statue to go with it. The baby calf is just about the right size for sitting on, so people could then hop on the calf and have their photos taken with the big cow in the background.
If you venture inside the Te Poi pub then you will enjoy other giant concrete creations. Also created by Gordon Rose are a giant hamburger and three moas (an extinct native New Zealand bird) (NZ Herald).
People know the Te Poi Country Tavern for its cow and calf, as well as its big burgers, which I hear are very tasty.
Location of Big Cow and Calf: 11 Te Poi Road, Te Poi 3473, New Zealand (Google Maps)
10. Tirau – Sheep & Dog 🐏🐶
Next up is one of my favourite giant sculptures in New Zealand – the big Tirau sheep and dog made from corrugated iron!
These giant corrugated iron creations surprised me as we drove through Tirau down the highway because I didn’t know they would be there!
I thought they looked absolutely amazing and are so kiwiana you can feel the magic of small town New Zealand in Tirau.
The adorable dog, sheep and ram are actually buildings so you can go inside them! The big dog has the i-Site Visitor Centre and the big sheep has a wool and craft shop.
The big ewe was created in the mid-1990s to house a merino wool shop. Artist Steven Clothier created a big dog in Tirau for a community project in 1998 to house the i-Site. According to his website, it was the first time he had ever created anything with corrugated iron! He has since created many more corrugated iron sculptures that you can find all over New Zealand and the world.
The big ewe and dog became landmarks of Tirau. The ram was added in 2016 and is a second-hand charity shop for SCPA (Stuff).
The corrugated animals led to Tirau becoming famous for corrugated iron and is known as the ‘Corrugated Capital of the World’.
Walking around Tirau, you will find there are other interesting corrugated iron creations. That includes a public toilet that has a funny design on the outside!
Location of Big Sheep and Dog: 65 Main Road, Tīrau 3410, New Zealand (Google Maps)
11. Tokoroa – Talking Poles
Continuing south down Highway 1 from Tirau you’ll come to the town of Tokoroa – well-known for its ‘Talking Poles’ sculptures.
They are called the ‘Talking Poles’ because each sculpted pole tells the story of a local culture, history, story, club and organisation in Tokoroa.
The community project was first suggested in 1996 to add a feature to the town centre. Since the beginning 50 poles have been displayed.
A mix of New Zealand and international sculptors have made the poles from native and foreign timbers.
The most well-known Talking Pole is probably The Pine Man. The giant sculpture of the forestry worker symbolizes the forestry industry in Tokoroa and it was created in 2004.
My personal favourite was The Green Man which represents the changing seasons and nature in New Zealand. It was created in 2004 but unfortunately, the Green Man was removed in 2018 to make way for redevelopment works. Hopefully, the Green Man sculpture will return to Tokoroa in the future (Stuff).
The Talking Poles are an interesting tourist stop to see on a short walk around the town. Tokoroa is a stop along Highway 1 on the way from Hamilton to Taupo.
You can see photos of the Talking Poles sculptures on the South Waikato District Council website.
Location of Talking Poles: Leith Place, Tokoroa 3420, New Zealand (Google Maps)
12. Te Puke – Kiwifruit 🥝
The kiwifruit is iconic in New Zealand. Did you know it isn’t even native to New Zealand? The kiwifruit is known as the Chinese gooseberry and is native to China.
The kiwifruit was cultivated in New Zealand in the early 20th Century and in the 1950s exporters began calling it kiwifruit and the name stuck!
In a small town in the Bay of Plenty in the 1930s, a horticulturist named Jim MacLoughlin planted kiwifruit in his orchard.
The kiwifruit was given to soldiers in WWII and they loved it. Jim continued to grow kiwifruit and a shipment was exported to the UK for the first time in 1952.
Jim became known as the father of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry.
Today, kiwifruit is a huge industry in Te Puke with many hectares of land being used to grow kiwifruit. Most of the orchards grow for the famous Zespri kiwifruit brand.
The kiwifruit industry is a major employer in the region. Thousands of seasonal workers are employed to pick and pack the fruit (I was one of them back in the 2020 lockdown as food productivity was an ‘essential service’!)
Te Puke is known as the ‘Kiwifruit Capital of the World’. To pay homage to this there is a giant kiwifruit in Te Puke near the entrance to the town by the highway.
Location of Giant Kiwifruit: 170/168 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke 3119, New Zealand (Google Maps)
13. Otorohanga – Kiwi Bird & Pukeko
Another famous New Zealand icon, also called a kiwi, is the kiwi bird. You’ll literally see the kiwi everywhere, on logos and brand names – everywhere but maybe not in the wild?
I was in New Zealand for three years and I was only ever lucky enough to see a kiwi bird in a bird sanctuary in Otorohanga on the North Island.
Otorohanga is known as the ‘Kiwiana Town’ of New Zealand. (Are you getting the sense that almost every town in New Zealand is ‘famous’ for something? Cause I am)
Dotted around Otorohanga are many iconic nods to kitschy kiwi things. That includes a giant kiwi sculpture (of course!).
The giant kiwi bird of Otorohanga is 3 metres tall and made of corrugated iron. Several are located around the town, but the most iconic, painted with a New Zealand flag, can be found at the entrance to the town.
A giant pukeko named “Nancy” was added next to Lake Huiputea.
Kiwiana Town of New Zealand
If you make a visit to Otorohanga, I recommend checking out the Otorohanga Kiwiana Wall which is a wall in the town filled with fun and colourful iconic kiwi things.
Ed Hillary was a New Zealander who was the first to summit Mount Everest in 1953 (along with Tibetan Tenzing Norgay). Otorohanga honours him with the Sir Edmund Hillary Walkway. The walkway has displays featuring typically New Zealand things. There are two giant kiwi sculptures near the Ed Hillary Walkway.
If you want to see a real kiwi in New Zealand then the Kiwi House is a pretty good bet. The bird sanctuary was the first place in the world where people could view kiwi birds in captivity. Kiwi House opened in 1971, and they also have a giant kiwi statue at their entrance! Visit the Kiwi House official website.
I also love stopping into the Fat Kiwi Cafe (website) in Otorohanga for a coffee and a bite to eat!
- Location of Giant Kiwi: Main North Road, Otorohanga 3900, New Zealand (Google Maps)
- Location of Giant Pukeko: 22 Huiputea Drive, Otorohanga 3900, New Zealand (Google Maps)
14. Waitomo – Apple 🍎
Waitomo is famous for its caves, especially the glowworm caves (highly recommended – book this Waitomo tour)! But Waitomo has another top tourist attraction – the big Apple! Yes, Waitomo is the New York of New Zealand! Okay, I am joking, of course. But the big apple in Waitomo is a pretty fun roadside stop that you’ll likely see on your visit through this little town.
The giant Waitomo apple is located by State Highway 3. There is parking available at the big apple outside the Waitomo Homestead. Inside the Waitomo Homestead, there is a gift shop, cafe and tourist information. At the location is also the Big Azz Ice Cream – highly recommended for their amazing real fruit ice cream!
The big Waitomo apple is 7.5 metres tall and has been in its location since 1995. It was originally an advert for The Big Apple Cafe which is no longer there, but the big apple sculpture remains.
In November 2024 the big apple was given a refresh and is now looking nice and shiny!
Make sure you stop by and see it on your way to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves (it’s magical – do this tour)!
Location of Big Apple: SH 3 584 Main South Road, Otorohanga 3977, New Zealand (Google Maps)
Related Read: 9 FREE Places To See Glow Worms In The North Island
15. Te Kuiti – Sheep Shearer 🐑
Te Kuiti is the “Sheep Shearing Capital of New Zealand” so of course it has a giant statue of a sheep shearer!
The sheep shearer has been located in Te Kuiti for 30 years, since the 1990s. The 6-metre tall sheep shearer is located on Te Kuiti’s main street in Memorial Park.
The idea was formed by John Fagan, who was a champion shearer from Te Kuiti.
Funding for the sculpture was raised via fundraising.
The sculpture was made by artist Dennis Hall. It is made from glass-reinforced spray cement. It was formed in 12 pieces and then assembled in Te Kuiti.
Interestingly, three time capsules were created by the community and placed inside the Sheep Shearer statue. The idea for the time capsules was the artist of the sculpture, Dennis Hall. He thought it would be great to preserve a piece of history in the statue.
In May 2024, the first time capsule was opened. The other two are to be opened in 2054 and 2084.
You can see photos of the retrieval of the time capsule from the Sheep Shearer sculpture and the opening of the time capsule on the Waitomo District Council website.
Location of Giant Sheep Shearer: 253 Rora Street, Te Kuiti 3910, New Zealand (Google Maps)
16. Wairakei – Prawn 🦐
Outside of Taupo at the village of Wairakei is the Huka Prawn Park – a prawn theme park! The Huka Prawn Park has a giant prawn mascot called Shawn the Prawn.
The Huka Prawn Park was started in 1987 and is a prawn farm. The farm uses geothermal wastewater from the Wairakei geothermal power plant to grow the prawns! How cool is that!
Visitors to the park can view the prawns and do water activities.
There is an admission fee to go into Huka Prawn Park but you can see the giant Shawn the Prawn statue at the entrance. Visit Huka Prawn Park’s website for more information on visiting the park.
If you enjoy water activities then another fun thing to do in this part of New Zealand is the Huka Falls Jetboat (check out this tour)!
Location of Huka Prawn Park: 200 Karetoto Road, Wairakei, Taupō 3384, New Zealand (Google Maps)
17. Taupo – Bicycle, Trout & Love Taupo 🚲
Taupo is one of the largest cities on the North Island of New Zealand. It is a major tourist destination with lots of things to see and do. Along with all its attractions, it has a few giant sculptures to add to New Zealand’s collection of big things!
First, there is the Taupo giant bike. The 3-metre high bike is a celebration of cycling in the region. It is white and has red spots!
Next, there is a giant metal trout sculpture at the entrance to the Taupo boat harbour.
Lastly, and most well-known, is the Love Taupo sign. Now, this isn’t really a true ‘big thing’, but I feel like it is worth mentioning because it is one of only a handful of giant signs in New Zealand. The spot is right on the Lake Taupo waterfront in the city and is a great photo spot!
- Location of Giant Bicycle: 19 Luberon Way, Nukuhau, Taupō 3377, New Zealand (Google Maps)
- Location of Big Trout: Coroner of Ferry Rd and Tongariro St, Taupō 3330, New Zealand (Google Maps)
- Location of Love Taupo Sign: 32 Roberts Street, Taupō 3330, New Zealand (Google Maps)
18. Ohakune – Carrot, Parsnip & Other Vegetables 🥕
Next, we have one of the most famous big things in New Zealand and an icon of all New Zealand’s giant sculptures – the big carrot of Ohakune!
ANZ created Ohakune’s giant carrot in the 1980s for a commercial. Afterwards, they donated it to Ohakune, New Zealand’s “Carrot Capital”.
The region is one of the largest agricultural areas of New Zealand and farmers grow not only carrots but many other vegetables including potatoes and parsnips.
The Big Carrot recently celebrated its 40th birthday! Ohakune had a big party to celebrate.
Along with the big carrot, you’ll find anthropomorphic vegetables in the Ohakune Carrot Adventure Park. My favourite was the big parsnip, obviously (I do love parsnips, but c’mon the sculpture is a little bit hilarious). The adventure park has a playground, walking and biking trails.
Ohakune is a pretty town that is close to the amazing scenery of Tongariro National Park. We loved stopping in Ohakune on our North Island road trips.
If you visit any of the North Island’s giant sculptures, make sure you check out the Ohakune carrot and its vegetable friends for a funny roadside stop! There is plenty of parking and public toilets.
Location of Big Carrot & Vegetables: 4a Rangataua Road, Ohakune 4625, New Zealand (Google Maps)
Related Read: 10 Unmissable Experiences In The North Island, New Zealand
19. Taihape – Gumboot 👢
Continuing south down State Highway 1 is the small town of Taihape – the “Gumboot Capital of the World”. Yes, that’s right. The little town of just 1,800 has claimed fame for the Wellington boot/rubber boot/goloshes/wellies/rainboots… as they are otherwise known around the world.
The giant Gumboot of Taihape is a corrugated iron icon in New Zealand and welcomes all those who drive into the town.
Taihape hosts an annual Gumboot Day, where people throw gumboots into the air and other quirky goings on. Gumboot Day has been a tradition in Taihape for over 30 years, since the 1980s.
It all started when a satirist named John Clarke created a character called Fred Dagg – a stereotypical New Zealand farmer who wore gumboots and his hometown was Taihape. It wasn’t far from the truth as Taihape’s agricultural and horticultural industry was important. So, Taihape adopted the gumboot as a kind of mascot.
Location of Giant Gumboot: 40 State Highway 1, Taihape 4720, New Zealand (Google Maps)
20. Manaia – Bread 🍞
Now, for all those carb lovers out there a visit to Manaia – the “Bread Capital of New Zealand” – is a right of passage. Manaia is well-known for its thriving bread industry after the Yarrow family bakery moved operations there in 1923.
The bakery, which is now a huge operation running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, supplies bread and pastries all across New Zealand and the Pacific.
Yarrows The Bakers have a factory shop that you can visit in Manaia to get their tasty baked goods!
Entering the town of Manaia along the Surf Highway (State Highway 45) there is a giant loaf of bread that welcomes you.
Location of Giant Loaf of Bread: 96 South Road, Manaia 4612, New Zealand (Google Maps)
21. Napier – Kowhai Flower
Kowhai is a native tree in New Zealand that produces beautiful yellow flowers in spring. Kowhai is the Maori word for ‘gold’.
Napier, the ‘art-deco’ capital of New Zealand located on the east coast of the North Island, is home to the Gold of the Kowhai sculpture.
The 4-metre-tall artwork is made from bronze and gilded with 24-carat gold. It was created in 2014 by artist Paul Dibble. It shows a kowhai flower and leaves with a small bird perched on top of the flower.
Location of Giant Kowhai Flower: 3 Tennyson Street, Napier South, Napier 4110, New Zealand (Google Maps)
22. Bulls – Bulls 🐂
The most appropriate big thing in New Zealand has to be the giant bull sculptures in the town of Bulls.
James Bull owned the first general store there in 1862 and so the town was named after him.
Bulls has taken on the name and there are many bull-themed and pun-named shops, restaurants and buildings around the town.
Of course, Bulls would not be complete without statues of big bulls! There are several bull sculptures dotted around the town. The most well-known is the big wooden bull that is outside the medical centre. It is 4 meters tall.
Fun fact: Cowes in England is the sister city to Bulls in New Zealand.
Location of Big Bulls: Bulls 4818, New Zealand (Google Maps)
23. Wellington – LOTR Trolls, Gallipoli & Wellington Sign 🧌
At last, we come to the capital of New Zealand and the city at the southern tip of the north island – Wellington.
Wellington is a great destination to visit and there are several big things in Wellington that you may see on your visit.
At the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa you can see giant sculptures of people in the Gallipoli exhibition (it’s excellent, trust me! – get tickets here). The big sculptures are 2.4 times human size and were created by the team at Weta Workshop. You may know Weta Workshop for its involvement in many films including Lord of the Rings.
If you’re a movie-buff and want to see more of Weta’s big sculptures, then head to the Weta Workshop/Weta Cave in Wellington (super fun and highly recommended – get tickets here). Outside the studio, you can see a giant Troll from Lord of the Rings.
Lastly, Wellington is known as the ‘windy city’ and commemorates this with the Windy Wellington sign. Also known as the Wellington Blown Away sign, the giant white sign sits on the hillside adjacent to Wellington International Airport. It shows ‘Wellington’ with the letters t, o and n blowing away in lines depicting the wind. The sign is themed like the Hollywood sign, being in white, capital letters. The sign was erected in 2012. You can view the sign by visiting the suburb of Miramar, or from the lookout at the top of Mount Victoria.
- Location of Te Papa Tongarewa/Museum of New Zealand: 55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand (Google Maps)
- Location of Weta Workshop/Weta Cave: 1 Weka Street, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand (Google Maps)
- Location of Windy Wellington Sign: 10-16 Miramar Avenue, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand (Google Maps)
Related Read: 12 Best Free Things To See & Do In Wellington
Previous Big Things In The North Island
Here is a list of more big things in the North Island that have been removed… so sad!
24. Wellington – Quasi Hand ✋
On top of the roof of the Wellington City Art Gallery was a giant hand sculpture with a face that was named Quasi. It was there for over 5 years.
The interesting sculpture (which I loved, but others said was creepy) was placed on top of the gallery in 2019. It was revealed in late 2024 that it would be removed.
Wellingtonians called the giant hand sculpture Quasi after Quasimodo in the Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
It’s not clear what has happened to the sculpture but I think that Wellingtonians grew to love it and are sad to see it go.
25. Auckland – Huntsman Spider 🕷️
A giant spider statue was the landmark of the Avondale Auckland suburb for 22 years.
The giant spider was installed in Avondale in 2002, but an announcement in late 2024 said that the spider would be moved (Stuff).
The locals nicknamed the spider ‘Dale’ and he was a huntsman spider.
Dale was placed in storage but it is hoped that the Avondale Business Association will find a new home for it.
Big Things In The North Island – New Zealand Giant Sculptures – Thanks For Reading!
Thanks so much for reading this blog post about BIG Things in the North Island of New Zealand. There are pretty interesting and quirky giant sculptures around the North Island to discover. From sculptures celebrating a town’s history and heritage, modern industry, and big things just for fun, finding these big things across New Zealand makes for interesting roadside photo stops. If you love this, then you’ll love finding big things in the South Island too! There’s plenty of them! My Giant Sculptures in New Zealand Google Map will help you locate them, and another blog post is coming soon! Happy roadtrippin’! – Lauren x
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Lauren | Wild Lovely World
Lauren is a coffee and cat obsessed travel writer from the U.K., specialising in travelling on a budget as a solo female and in a couple. She moved to Australia solo at age 19 and has since lived in 7 different countries around the world, including teaching English in Japan, living in a campervan in New Zealand and hiking all across Scotland. Her style is travelling slow and she is an expert on moving abroad and long-term travel. She spends a lot of time working on her blog WildLovelyWorld.com, cuddling her partner Fiachra and day-dreaming of her next trip.
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