"The correct site"

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 18, 2 October 1984, Page 20

"The correct site"

Mayor Bill Taylor told fellow councillors at the Borough's last meeting that he was nt>w convinced that the present siting of Ohakune's Giant Carrot in Rochfort Park was the correct setting.

He added that he was "amazed at the industry of all those associated with the project and commended them for »their work in preparing and landscaping the site.

When one stops to consider that the 'Big Carrot' site at Rochfort Park took 25 days to complete, the work that so many people put in voluntarily becomes even more extraordinary. The foundations were laid on Wednesday 5 September and it was not until the Sunday night following that

a committee was formed to decide on the schedule of development at the site, tools and materials required and arrangements for the big day itself. On Thursday 13 September the moat began to take shape as workers laboured furiously against time. Luckily the weather was kind in this week and the

work was completed in good time. Through the rest of that week and into the weekend, the rocks around the moat were laid and foliage planted throughout. On Thursday 20 September, the decking around the foundations began to take shape and on Friday the bridge was put up. The workers continued their toils throughout the week, the carrot-go-round was installed on the Sunday and then the rain came. Despite the rain that fell throughout most of last week, work still went on... slightly hampered of course. Early on Tuesday morning, a truck picked up the Big Carrot which had been stored at Peter Hammond's carrot shed, and delivered it to the site where more willing workers helped to install it on the foundations. It took less than two hours, before many people were at work. The cover was then placed around it until Saturday when it was officially unveiled. Work continued on the site for the rest of the week. On Friday the notice board and welcome signs went up, people worked throughout the day and some of the night to have the area ready for the following days festivities. On Saturday 29 September 1 984, the Big Carrot was unveiled by Mr Jim Bolger MP for King Country.