What will happen to the body of Auckland's Farmers Santa when it's retired?

Auckland's gigantic "creepy" Santa is being retired and no one is sure what to do with his body.

The 60-year-old Santa will serve his final watch over the city this Christmas, before he is retired from his post on the Farmers building.

The organisation which owns the statue, Heart of the City, says it's too expensive to maintain him.

"It's about $200,000 per year to store, maintain and assemble him," CEO Viv Beck told Sean Plunket on Monday.

"We know there are a lot of people out there who love Santa but if you come have a look you'll see he's looking a bit weary - he needs a makeover and that will be more money," she continued.

But what to do with Santa's five-storey-tall body?

"We're hoping he might find a relaxing and happy retirement home," said Beck.

"It would be nice if there was somewhere for him to go, otherwise we'll have to look at other options."

Motat has been suggested as a final resting place, but it's early days yet, said Beck.

It's unclear what the other options are - Plunket's suggestions of burning him or submerging him in the ocean were not viable, said Beck.

"I'm not sure about burning him - what about all the people who have such fond memories?" she asked.

Plunket then suggested towing him out to sea and sinking him at a dive spot.

"But then he sits on the seabed - so that's probably got some things to think about." 

Santa's replacement has not yet been decided - although Beck says there have been whispers of a holographic Santa.

"What we wanted to do was make his retirement special. Give people a chance to have a tribute then actually get some feedback - so [holographic Santa] will definitely go on the list."

Newshub.