INDEPENDENT NEWS

Community celebrates success with Millennium Tree

Published: Tue 1 Nov 2005 12:06 AM
MEDIA RELEASE
TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER, 2005
Issued by the Chinese New Zealanders Millennium Trust
Chinese Community celebrates success with Millennium Tree
The Governor-General of New Zealand, Dame Silvia Cartwright, unveiled today in the company of Auckland's Chinese Community and friends the Millennium Tree, a gift to the City of Auckland by the Chinese Community of New Zealand.
The sculpture by New Zealand born Chinese, Guy Ngan, is situated in the Auckland Domain, adjacent to the Winter Gardens, and represents the social, cultural and creative contributions that the the Chinese have made to the fabric of New Zealand society.
"The relocation of the Millennium Tree sculpture to the Auckland Domain has been a resounding success," said Ron Sang, Trustee of the Chinese New Zealanders Millennium Trust.
"It is a day of celebration. After 5 long years of fundraising, struggle and opposition, the completion has been a huge achievement for the Project Team and sculptor Guy Ngan. At last the Chinese Community can gift this major art work to the City of Auckland."
The Millennium Tree is constructed of stainless steel and will stand 6.5 metres high on a granite pedestal located in a six-metre diameter raised platform.
The original location of the sculpture was to be in Sir Dove Myer Robinson Park, Parnell. A group of local residents opposed this location for a modern sculpture because of the area's heritage significance.
The structure is now nestled in the centre of a group of large Phoenix palms echoing the tall trunks and crown of fronds of the palms. The work was inspired by the wand of the Monkey King in Chinese legend - the hero's magic wand can dispel all obstacles.
ENDS

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