New Zealand First MP Shane Jones has slammed a proposal for a $1 million statue at Bastion Point.
The proposed statue, suggested by Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei and partially funded by Auckland Council, would represent Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother. It has been under discussion for up to 18 months by the iwi's board.
But Mr Jones, the Minister for Regional Economic Development and Associate Finance Minister, told Stuff it's laughable to expect Aucklanders to pay for the work.
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He said the iwi doesn't have the exclusive rights to promote a statue in the form of the earth goddess. If the iwi wants the statue, he said they should "spend their own money" and not "misrepresent the broader Māori community".
The statue has been backed by Auckland Mayor Phil Goff who said it has the potential to be "an iconic symbol of Auckland" similar to that of the Christ the Redeemer statue that has become an icon of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
But Mr Jones says there needs to be more discussion around the statue idea, and that all Aucklanders should agree that it represents them.
He said if Auckland Council wants to provide leadership on an iconic site, then they should "sort out what sort of tree's going to go on One Tree Hill" first.
Newshub.
