List of New Zealand's big things facts for kids
New Zealand is home to many giant statues called Big Things. These huge artworks are found in small towns all over the country. Each "Big Thing" usually shows something special about the town it's in. For example, in Taihape, you'll find a giant gumboot because the town holds a yearly gumboot-throwing contest! In Paeroa, there's a huge L&P bottle, celebrating the fizzy drink that started there. And in Te Kūiti, you can see a Big Sheep Shearer, because this town hosts the national sheep-shearing championships. It's a fun way for towns to show off what makes them unique!
Awesome Big Things of the North Island
Big Apple
In Waitomo Caves, you can spot the Big Apple. It's a huge apple, about 7.5 meters (25 feet) tall! This giant fruit is the logo for the Big Apple Cafe, a popular spot in the area.
Big Bicycle
Visit Taupō to see the Big Bicycle. This bike is 3 meters (10 feet) high and was put up in 2012. It helps remind everyone about road safety, especially for cyclists.
Big Bull
The town of Bulls has a fitting statue: a Big Bull! This impressive bull stands 4 meters (13 feet) tall. It shows how important bulls are to the town's history and name.
Big Carrot
In Ohakune, you'll find a giant carrot that's 7.5 meters (25 feet) tall! It was put there in 1984 to show how important market gardening is to the town. This carrot was actually a prop from a bank TV ad before it became a town landmark.
Big Dairy Whip
At Tatuanui, you can see a giant can of Tatua Dairy Whip. It's located right at the Tatua Dairy Company factory, celebrating their famous product.
Big Gumboot
Taihape is known as the "Gumboot Capital of the World," and they have a Big Gumboot to prove it! This giant metal boot, made from corrugated iron, was built in 2000.
Big Kiwifruit
In Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, you'll find a Big Kiwifruit. This giant fruit is part of the Kiwi360 complex, celebrating the region's famous kiwifruit industry.
Big Kiwi
Eketāhuna is home to a Big Kiwi statue. This large bird was moved to its current spot in 2016.
Big Kiwis
In Ōtorohanga, which calls itself the capital of Kiwiana (things that are uniquely New Zealand), you'll see several Big Kiwis. These statues are made from corrugated iron and are placed around the town.
Big Kowhai (The Gold of the Kowhai)
Napier features a beautiful sculpture called "The Gold of the Kowhai." Created by artist Paul Dibble in 2014, this bronze gilded artwork stands 4 meters (13 feet) tall. It celebrates the native kowhai tree.
Big Lemon & Paeroa Bottle
In Paeroa, Thames Valley, stands a famous 7-meter (23-foot) tall bottle. It's a giant version of the popular New Zealand soft drink, L&P, which was first made in this town.
Big Loaf
Manaia is known as 'New Zealand's Bread Capital.' Here, you'll find the Big Loaf, celebrating Yarrows Family Bakers, one of the country's largest independent bakeries located in the town.
Big Parsnip
Also in Ohakune, there's a Big Parsnip, sometimes called the Panorama Parsnip. This statue was added in 2017 and is the sixth vegetable to join the Ohakune Carrot Adventure Park.
Big Sheep and Sheepdog
When you visit Tīrau, you'll see some unique buildings made from corrugated iron. The town's information center is shaped like a giant dog, and next to it, 'the big sheep' houses a large wool shop. They were built in 1994.
Big Sheep Shearer
Te Kūiti promotes itself as the sheep shearing capital of the world. To celebrate this, they have a Big Sheep Shearer statue. The town hosts the annual New Zealand National Shearing Championships.
Big Trout
Taupō is famous for its fishing, especially trout. So, it's no surprise to find a giant metal trout statue here!
Big Prawn
Also in Taupō, you can see a giant prawn. This fun statue is part of the Huka Prawn Park, a popular attraction.
Jandal On The Mandel
Between Kopu and Thames, you'll spot the "Jandal On The Mandel." This giant jandal (what New Zealanders call flip-flops) is located along the Hauraki Rail Trail on the Coromandel Peninsula. It was created by artist Ricks Terstappen.
Giant Oystercatcher
In Kaiaua, a large oystercatcher statue stands 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) tall. It was unveiled on January 23, 2005, and represents the many shorebirds found along the Seabird Coast.
Mega Cow
Morrinsville is home to the Mega Cow, a large statue standing 6.5 meters (21 feet) tall. Built in 2017, it celebrates the area's strong dairy farming industry.
Awesome Big Things of the South Island
Big Crayfish
In Kaikōura, a town famous for its seafood, you'll find the Big Crayfish. This statue is the logo for the Lobster Inn Motel.
Big Doughnut
Springfield has a Big Doughnut that's 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) wide. It was put up in 2007 to help promote The Simpsons Movie.
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The Five Clydesdales
In Clinton, you can see a group of five statues called The Five Clydesdales. These horses are slightly larger than real Clydesdale horses.
Big Fruit
Cromwell is known for its fruit. In 1989, they put up the Big Fruit, a huge sculpture that's 13 meters (43 feet) tall. It features an apricot, apple, pear, and nectarine.
Big Mosgiel
Mosgiel has "Big Mosgiel," which are large letters spelling out the name of the town. It's a great spot for a photo!
Big Pāua
In Riverton, you'll find a giant pāua (abalone) shell. This statue was put up in the early 1990s and was even featured on New Zealand postage stamps in 1998!
Big Salmon
Rakaia is home to the Big Salmon, a 12-meter (39-foot) long statue built in 1991. It represents the large salmon commonly found in the Rakaia River.
Big Sandfly
At Pukekura, you might be surprised to see a Big Sandfly! This statue is mounted outside The Bushmans Centre.
Big Sausage
Tuatapere was awarded a Big Sausage in September 2015 by a radio show. This 3-meter (10-foot) tall sausage sits on top of a fork.
Surfer Riding a Wave
In Colac Bay, there's a big statue of a surfer riding a wave. It celebrates the popular surfing spot.
Big Takahe
Te Anau has a Big Takahe statue, standing about 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) tall. The South Island takahē is an endangered, flightless bird that is native to New Zealand's South Island.
Harbour Mouth Molars
In Dunedin, you can see a unique sculpture of several molars, sometimes called the Harbour Mouth Molars. They are located in Kitchener Street Reserve.
Big Trout and Big Guitar
Gore has two famous "Big Things." The Big Trout was put up in 1998 and represents the brown trout found in the area. Gore also has a giant guitar, celebrating the town's status as the unofficial capital of country and western music in New Zealand.
Big Wheelbarrow
Hokitika features a Big Wheelbarrow. During Hokitika's annual Wildfoods Festival, this wheelbarrow holds a giant inflatable wild pig!
See also
