Barry the Relaxed Kiwi Bloke Sculpture to Miss Christmas on Main Rd

Katikati's beloved 'Barry, the Relaxed Typical Kiwi Bloke' sculpture will not be back in place on Main Road in time for Christmas, after being damaged in a vehicle accident on 27 April this year. The iconic figure, which sits outside the Arts Junction at 36 Main Road, has yet to be repaired, despite his seat being fixed locally.

Katikati Open Air Art (KOAA) committee member Steve Graveson explained that while the insurance company has received a cost estimate, sculptor Donald Paterson — who now lives on the West Coast — has been unable to confirm the full repair cost without first inspecting all the damage in person. Sourcing the required materials is also proving difficult. Barry's dog 'Jack' was also damaged in the incident and removed by police that night; Jack will need to travel to a specialised foundry in Christchurch for repairs, with the timeline also uncertain.

Meanwhile, KOAA is also navigating uncertainty around several of the town's older murals. The mural 'Those Who Served', painted by Geoffrey Fuller in 1996 and later repainted by Renee Te Pairi in 2011, sits on the exterior of the former RSA building on State Highway 2 — a building that is currently under contract with a buyer. If the new owner does not wish to keep the mural, KOAA may be obliged to remove it, though the panel materials make this tricky without causing damage.

Graveson noted that some KOAA murals are approaching 30 years old, which is a considerable lifespan for outdoor works exposed to all weather conditions around the clock. If the new RSA building owner is happy for the mural to remain, Graveson said he would look to commission an artist for a major overhaul to bring it back to life. KOAA now uses an ACM (aluminium composite material) for newer murals — a durable, long-lasting option that can be unscrewed and repanelled as needed.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).