A striking 1.2-meter metal dragon sculpture that mysteriously appeared at Mount Maunganui's Pilot Bay has been ordered to be removed by the Tauranga City Council. The impressive artwork, which sits atop a 1.5-ton rock, was placed on council-owned property at the corner of Commons Avenue and The Mall without permission by local residents Graham and Carol Foote.
The couple transported the sculpture from their Pukehina property under cover of darkness, intending it as a surprise public gift in the spirit of Banksy-style guerrilla art. "If you ask for permission, it takes years. Better to ask for forgiveness – which we got none. But that's okay," Graham explained. The handcrafted sculpture, made entirely from scrap vehicle parts by artists in South Africa, was installed as an attempt to bring art directly to the public.
On September 2, the council informed the Footes that the dragon must be removed within seven days. "The council want it removed. We didn't quite understand the reasoning – being that it didn't fit in with the cultural values of Tauranga. We thought it was a taniwha protecting the waterways," Graham said. The council later granted a one-week extension to the removal deadline and erected a temporary barrier fence around the dragon for safety reasons.
Since the two-ton sculpture won't fit in their Mount Maunganui home, Graham has been contacting nearby property owners to explore relocation options. Despite some local support and the Footes' offer to donate, maintain, and care for the sculpture long-term, the council ruled the artwork in breach of its Street Use and Public Places Bylaw.
Council bylaws officer Todd Martin explained in a letter that while the piece was appreciated, it lacked the cultural or artistic significance specific to the Tauranga area required for permanent placement in a public space. "The sculpture's current location presents potential risks to the public, particularly as it is not a council-managed asset and lacks formal assessment or protective measures," the letter stated. The dragon also did not meet the criteria under the council's Civic Art Policy or Public Art Framework.
The dragon sculpture had been with the Footes for five years and was crafted entirely from recycled metal components including nuts, bolts, old tools, padlocks, horseshoes, and car parts. It was originally purchased as a birthday gift for Carol from Art of Outdoors in Pyes Pa, a business that imports unique recycled-metal sculptures from South Africa, with proceeds supporting the artists' families in their home country.
"We had it on our orchard overlooking our lake at Pukehina, but we're selling that property now because we're heading towards 70," Graham explained. Carol had suggested bringing the sculpture closer to their Pilot Bay home. Graham carefully maneuvered the artwork into place using a trailer, winch, and a Land Cruiser during the nighttime installation.
"The disappointing part is that the council doesn't see it as having any artistic value. We said we'd gift it to the council, maintain it, everything. But they think it's a hazard and not art. It's kind of disappointing, but understandable – because we broke the law," Graham acknowledged. The couple noted that the council had been very cooperative in their discussions about the matter.
The Footes are now hoping the sculpture can be relocated somewhere they can still enjoy seeing it. Graham declined the suggestion of placing it at Te Puna Quarry Park, which is known for its numerous sculptures and art installations. "I'll never see it. I want to drive past it. It's about making people happy," he explained.
This incident represents the latest frustration for the Footes, who previously endured a three-year bureaucratic struggle while attempting to donate 9 hectares of land at Pukehina to a local wetland society. They said mounting red tape and legal costs had significantly slowed their charitable intentions. "That's why I didn't ask about the statue. I thought: I could be dead before they [the council] make a decision," Graham said.
For now, the metal dragon awaits a new home – one where it can continue to delight passersby without running afoul of city bylaws. The sculpture serves as a reminder of the ongoing tension between spontaneous public art and municipal regulations governing public spaces.
