Statue of Pania
| Pania of the Reef | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Year | 1954 |
| Type | bronze |
| Dimensions | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) |
| Location | Napier, New Zealand |
The Statue of Pania (also known as Pania of the Reef) is located on Marine Parade in Napier, New Zealand, and honours the life of Pania, a figure of Māori mythology.
The statue was commissioned by members of the Thirty Thousand Club after the
A traditional piupiu skirt, and the photographs of Mei, were sent to the Italian marble company of Carrara in
The statue has often been compared to The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen; there is a resemblance between the two figures, as both statues are small, bronze, and near the ocean, and both are based on similar stories.
In 1982, the statue was shot in the head.[3] The damage was later repaired.
On 27 October 2005, the statue was stolen,[4][5] but was discovered by Jeff Foley and recovered by police on 4 November.[6] The statue was restored, then replaced on 16 November 2005.
References
- ^ "Meka Whaitiri: The story so far". Radio New Zealand. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- ^ a b "TE AO HOU The New World [electronic resource]". teaohou.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
- ^ Hawke's Bay Today article
- NZPA. 27 October 2005. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ NZPA and Rebecca Walsh (28 October 2005). "Napier still in shock over theft of Pania". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ Recovery of the statue (Stuff.co.nz article)