HENDERSON PIGEON STATUE MEETING ENDS IN SHOUTING, ONE EVACUATION, ZERO PIGEONS CONSULTED
Auckland Council spent $48,000 on a feasibility report. The pigeons don't know.
A public meeting at the Henderson Community Centre collapsed into a shouting match on Tuesday night after Auckland Council revealed plans for a bronze pigeon outside the train station.
The meeting ran nearly three hours before chair Councillor Marlene Tupou suspended proceedings, citing "a robust exchange of views". One man was escorted out for shouting "build the fucking thing or don't, just stop sending me letters."
Resident Hemi Faleolo, 54, said he'd come for the pothole on Edmonton Road. "Sat through forty minutes of a consultant from Ponsonby explaining the pigeon's relationship to the train line. The train doesn't even run on Sundays."
The consultant, paid $48,000 for the report, said the statue would "activate the forecourt". Asked what that meant, she said it was "in the document". The document is 184 pages. Nobody has seen it.
An Auckland Council spokesperson confirmed the project was "still in early engagement". No decision had been made on whether the pigeon would be sitting, standing or mid-flight. A second round of consultation is likely, pending budget.
The pothole on Edmonton Road is still there. A pigeon was sitting in it on Wednesday morning.
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Reader Letters
Garry (Halswell)
Back in my day, pigeons were just rats with wings and we didn't give them statues. We shot 'em out of gardens. Councils have lost the plot.
Wayne West_Gate
@Garry (Halswell) Right? We should be fixing things that matter. A statue isn't going to stop those potholes from wrecking my tyres.
Pigeon_Lover123
Bronze pigeons sound majestic! Henderson could do with a bit of beauty. Who cares about a pothole when you get art?
KrisKrisKris04
@Pigeon_Lover123 Art's important, but we should make sure we've got the basics covered first, eh? Like roads that don't act as spas for birds.
BarryBishopdale
Remember when they talked about activating forecourts with art for the '07 Rugby World Cup bid? Exact same nonsense, new year.
Sandra McKenzie
@BarryBishopdale They're recycling old buzzwords. But probably that 'document' lists all of it in print. Wish they'd stop trying to justify every dollar spent with nonsense.
conspiracy_kiwi
THIS IS A COUNCIL COVER-UP. THE MONEY GOES IN CIRCLES. WHO REALLY PROFITS? IT'S NOT THE PIGEONS!
hendo_harry
Lol, pigeons are already holding up the entire rail system. A bronze one will fit right in.