Key Takeaways
- A long-running battle over a hillside shrine of giant statues in Little Munro Bay, Whangārei, has ended with a compromise allowing the statues to remain, but with significant changes.
- The owner of the property, Yanhua Wang, will reduce the number of statues from 147 to 128, remove the upper terraces, and repaint the remaining structures in a uniform, low-reflect blue color.
- The Environment Court has accepted the agreement and issued a consent order, with a 12-month review clause to address any unforeseen landscape or visual effects.
- Local residents, including Greg Grant, are unhappy with the outcome, citing concerns about the statues’ impact on the natural landscape and the lack of enforcement by the Whangārei District Council.
Introduction to the Controversy
The installation of a hillside shrine of giant statues in Little Munro Bay, Whangārei, has been a source of controversy for years. The statues, some of which reach heights of 4.5m, were erected by property owner Yanhua Wang, who also owns several properties and businesses in Auckland. The development, which includes 146 statues and a network of terraces, has drawn crowds, complaints, and council scrutiny. The local community has raised concerns about the impact of the statues on the natural landscape, with many considering them an eyesore.
The Battle for Approval
The Whangārei District Council received multiple complaints about the development, leading to a commissioner’s report in 2024 that found the scale and placement of the terraces and statues created more than minor adverse landscape and visual effects. The commissioner also noted that the vegetation clearance and color choice of the structures added to the council and community’s concerns. While the commissioner acknowledged Wang’s cultural beliefs, they concluded that the proposal failed the gateway tests and consent was refused. However, the commissioner suggested that a different outcome could be possible if the upper terraces were removed and some statues were moved further down the embankment.
The Compromise
Wang appealed the decision to the Environment Court, which led to mediation between the parties. The mediation resulted in an agreement that would reduce the number of statues from 147 to 128, remove the upper terraces, and repaint the remaining structures in a uniform, low-reflect blue color. The upper slope would be vegetated with native plants, and no artificial lighting or sound effects would be allowed. The agreement was accepted by the Environment Court, which issued a consent order under the Resource Management Act. The court emphasized that it was not making a merits determination but rather endorsing an agreement reached by the parties.
Reactions to the Outcome
Local residents, including Greg Grant, are unhappy with the outcome. Grant, who lives across the road from the property, has been active in opposing the site’s resource consents for years. He believes that the council has failed to do its job and that the new blue color will still stick out among the native reserves. Grant also questions the purpose of the statues, given that no one lives at the property and the site is empty most of the time. The Whangārei District Council declined to comment on the outcome, leaving many to wonder about the effectiveness of the council’s enforcement and the impact of the statues on the natural landscape.
The Future of the Site
The consent order includes a 12-month review clause, which allows the council to review the conditions if unforeseen landscape or visual effects arise. This clause provides some comfort to local residents, who may still be concerned about the impact of the statues on the natural landscape. However, the compromise has also raised questions about the balance between cultural expression and environmental protection. As the site continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor its impact on the surrounding environment and to ensure that the conditions of the consent order are met.
Conclusion
The controversy over the hillside shrine of giant statues in Little Munro Bay, Whangārei, has been a long-running and complex issue. While the compromise reached in the Environment Court has allowed the statues to remain, it has also raised important questions about the balance between cultural expression and environmental protection. As the site continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor its impact on the surrounding environment and to ensure that the conditions of the consent order are met. The outcome of this case serves as a reminder of the importance of careful planning and consideration in the development of our natural landscapes.