The Chinese community in New Zealand is to gift Auckland a sculpture to mark the millennium.

The sculpture, designed by Guy Ngan, will be in Sir Dove Myer Robinson Park. It has a five-metre diameter pond base and a stainless steel sculpture.

Fundraising for the sculpture – already at $20,000 – is continuing by the Chinese New Zealanders Millennium Trust, an organisation formed solely with the purpose of raising funds from the Chinese community in Auckland to finance a substantial work of art.

The chairman of Auckland City Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee, Councillor Bill Christian, said the gesture was a most generous one and greatly appreciated by the Council.

“The Chinese community has been present in reasonable numbers in Auckland since the 1860s, but more so in recent years with the growth in Asian immigration,” said Councillor Christian.

“It’s great to see an ethnic group which is assuming an increasingly important role in our society, making such a generous contribution of a sculpture to enhance Sir Dove Myer Robinson Park.”

Auckland City will be responsible for the ongoing operational and maintenance costs of the sculpture.

Councillor Christian said his committee has recommended the sculpture be approved in principle and its recommendation be forwarded to the Public Artworks Sub-committee for endorsement.

ENDS

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