A spectacular unveiling for one of New Zealand’s most spectacular birds is promised, once it alights on its hilltop perch above Clyde.

A huge recycled-metal sculpture of this country’s only native falcon is planned and volunteer group Historic Clyde Inc. are keen to get on with the $74,000 project, group member Marnie Kelly says.

With a wingspan of 5.5m the public artwork will be transported from Glenorchy in one piece, once completed by renown sculptor Dan Kelly. 

“This area is rather bereft of art pieces so we decided this would be a good sculpture to have. I think it is a recognisable statement of your community. Every little town needs a statement.”

There’s around $8,000 in the fundraising pot already thanks to two cycle businesses and private donations, Marnie says, with considerably more pledged.

Clyde businesses will soon be canvassed for support and fundraising events include a steptoe auction at Easter and a dinner with live entertainment later that month.  

The group has around 15 members and projects over the past 20 years have included raising funds for the restoration of the town’s historic railway station, instigating the original market days, and running masterchef and house and garden events. 

“It is a very enthusiastic group, we don’t have a chairman or a treasurer or anything like that, we just pool our ideas.”

An artist’s impression of the bold artistic statement in sculpture planned for Clyde

She said the group had been wanting to replace dated signage at the top of the Clyde hill for sometime and would take the opportunity to tackle this alongside Project Karearea.

The Karearea, sometimes known as a sparrow hawk due to its small stature, can fly at over 100km/hr and take down live prey larger than itself. They are extremely nimble and attractive birds who fearlessly guard their ground-based nests.

Both the northern and southern form are considered to be at risk of extinction “in the medium term”, according the Department of Conservation.

Marnie says Contact Energy have approved the highway-side site above Dairy Creek. A positive response to the idea was received from the Central Otago District Council at last year’s community grants funding round, although the project was not deemed as fitting the criteria to receive any monies.

Marnie, who operated Clyde’s ‘Touch Yarns’ business for 27 years, said the group hope to have the sculpture in place within a year. A special unveiling would be held to celebrate the artwork, whose wing feathers will be crafted from aged flat warratahs sourced in the Maniototo.