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Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 31, 22 January 1985, Page 8

Mayor Bill Taylor compared this unveiling to Ohakune's giant carrot — saying that on this occasion he did not need the assistance of a helicopter. This true-to-scale model has proved 'extremely popular' with visitors to the Ruapehu Region Information Centre during the Christmas / New Year period according to those volunteers — including Councillors Bully Hays and Ellen Gould — who staffed the Centre while Joanne Boyle was on annual leave. "Everyone who came into the Centre commented favourably on the model ... even locals," said Bully Hays. The cost of the model — $4,800 — has been retrieved by the selling of the

advertising space surrounding the model. Each advertiser has 'sponsored' a geographical feature on the map so that, by pressing a button, the exact location of that feature can be pinpointed by a light.

The model, which covers an area from Pipiriki in the south-west to Turangi in the north-east, measures six feet x six feet and Was made by Martin Johnstone of Rotorua who also made similar models for the Turangi

Information Centre and Hospitality Wanganui. This local project was coordinated on behalf of the Ohakune Borough Council by Des Sutton of Ohakune who also helped install the model before the unveiling.