Awesome Kiwi Icons
New Zealanders love their iconic emblems - and the bigger the better!
Here are some of the country's best known man-made landmarks:
Otorohanga (Waikato)
This township of 9,000 has laid claim to being New Zealand's centre of Kiwiana. Visitors are greeted by giant corrugated Kiwis at the entrance to town before they witness samples of Kiwi icons in murals and sculptures up the main street. Even the public toilets have examples of Kiwiana displayed!
Ohakune (Manawatu-Wanganui)
This lovely ski resort near Mt Ruapehu is also known for its production of vegetables and specifically carrots. That's why the locals have erected a giant carrot on the edge of town. It's become a must-stop photo opportunity for thousands of surprised tourists.
Springfield (Canterbury)
This small South Island town has two things in common with the North American home of television's Simpsons. The first is its name but the second is a love of donuts. Hence the appearance in 2008 of a big pink donut in the centre of town.
Taihape (Manawatu-Wanganui)
Taihape residents are proud of their reputation as a town typical of New Zealand's blokish and rural image. Every year, they hold a sportsday with events based around throwing gumboots. In town - in the appropriately named Gumboot Park - a large corrugated steel gumboot stands on display and is illuminated at night.
Tirau (Waikato)
When faced with declining population and a worsening local economy in the 1980s, the locals came up with the idea of transforming Tirau into a centre for corrugated art. Today, it's a must-stop tourist destination for those travelling between Hamilton and Taupo as the town is full of fascinating sculptures, big and small, including giant sheep and dogs (right).
Manaia (Taranaki)
The largest employer in Manaia (pop. 924) is a bakery so the locals have decided to celebrate their claim to being New Zealand's Bread Capital by building a 3-metre high, three-dimensional double loaf of bread. Some love it, some hate it - but no one fails to notice it.