Tom and Cheryl Peek Under Their Equator: Things

Plenty of funny things.

As mankind attempts to carve out an existence in a region of great oceans, great mountains, great bush, and great variety, they leave something behind to designate the struggle or the victory. The appearance of many relics constructed for posterity play on the comic vibration built into the countryside. Homes and buildings display art and attempts at art. A bold statement sits along the coast road north of Thames. Elongated orange heads peek above the decorative landscape surveying the world and wondering, "What's going on?" They maintain guard over a neighborhood with Mona Lisa smiles. Do the prodigious Orange Man Group represent a religious sect? a secret club? treasures lifted from the Pacific? family gravestones?

Small NZ communities define themselves boldly. Or, desire to be known for noteworthy things in noteworthy fashions. To demonstrate the community's proudest product, a mega-sample often occupies an unabashed civic location. Paeroa is the former home to the L&P soft drink company. The company moved out, but left its giant L&P bottle in a main-street park and toilet area. Each visitor poses by the bottle (previous entry).

The town of Taihape produces gum-boots, or gum-shoes, or gummies, or Wellies. As the Dalmatian immigrants flooded into NZ in search of the Kauri tree gum deposit, poor conditions necessitated proper equipment. Standing in mud and water required a good pair of waterproof boots. Taihape places the world's largest gum-boot at the entrance to town. A used one, of course, in the tradition of Kiwi conservationism.

Ohakune watches the volcano mountain Ruapehu from the south. Local vegetable growers did not want to be forgotten by local skiers, climbers, and trampers. The farmers erected a large carrot. One worth envy. It is difficult not to pose, and public toilets are planted near-by.

Carrotific.
Carrotpendous.

The great Carrotsaurous of Ohakune.

No giant rabbits in sight.

Dunedin's Harbor Mouth Molars denote the importance of NZ's first dental school and strong teeth. The molars ache for attention. Trying to outshine Wellington's reputation as the art center, Dunedin clenched and coughed up tax money for the big molars on the beach. A full set may follow some day.

Little town of Tirau laps up a laugh with its "top ten most unusual buildings in the world". A sheepdog and sheep-shaped building allows visitors to walk into the bowels of the i-Site information center. Each NZ community has an information center to portray the regions highlights to visitors and mark the region's fame. With a smile.