Kiwi Wandering Trail
A self-guided scavenger hunt in Whakatāne, New Zealand, the Kiwi Capital of the World!
Come wander with our kiwi – Haere mai kia hikoi me ngā kiwi
Whakatāne is known as the Kiwi Capital of the World thanks to how close North Island brown kiwi live to our town. But our feathered neighbours are masters of camouflage and hide-n-seek, so not everyone realises Whakatāne has so many kiwi.
Enter the Kiwi Wandering Trail: ten life-like, life‑size bronze kiwi statues which wander right through the heart of Whakatāne.
The bronze kiwi sculptures form an educational walk, fit for families and people of all abilities, while also reminding the residents of Whakatāne that we have real live kiwi wandering in our backyards too!
You can pick up a brochure with the clues from the i-SITE or Te Kōputu a Te Whanga a Toi – Library and Exhibition Centre, or download it here.
Bronze sculpture artist – Liz Grant
Whakatāne’s kiwi sculptures were brought to life by the hard work, skill, and aroha of artist Dr. Liz Grant. Liz has degrees in both zoology and fine arts which meant when the Kiwi Wandering project was looking for someone to create life-like, life-sized bronze kiwi, all the stars aligned with Liz’s proposal.
“Bronze is a fantastic medium because it is durable, weatherproof and tactile. Different textures can be felt, size and shapes can be understood and anatomical form can be discovered. I am very proud of my kiwi sculptures and hope that the community of Whakatāne take pride in them, while also acting as kaitiaki.”
For more information on the artist visit her website: www.artbyliz.co.nz