Future of Santa's winking eye still under wraps

PHIL DOYLE/Sunday Star-Times

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU: Auckland's Queen St Santa Claus before its recent makeover.

GRAHAME COX/Sunday News

WHAT'S UNDERNEATH? Santa under wraps.

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Santa's inviting finger has been given the flick in a $100,000-plus makeover of the 25 metre Auckland Christmas icon, but the future of his beady, winking eye has yet to be revealed.

The 49-year-old fibreglass figure was returned to its Queen St site over Whitcoulls in downtown Auckland last weekend after four months of cosmetic surgery but bandages covering the makeover on his face will not be removed until Sunday.

The Santa had been part of Auckland's heritage since 1960 when it was first erected on the outside of the Farmers Building in Albert St.

For many years when it was on the Farmers' site and after it was moved to the Queen St site, the forefinger on his right hand moved back and forth in a welcoming gesture, and one eye winked.

Last year after Aucklanders voted overwhelmingly to keep the Santa because of the emotional tie it had with the city, it was given a makeover and the mechanical finger was replaced with a static finger.

However, Heart of the City chief executive Alex Swney would not say if the blinking right eye would become a fixed stare or if the blink was back.

"There was a concern the guy did look a little creepy. It was the finger and the Sad Sack, winking, droopy eye."

He said the change to the finger was not made because of pressure from politically correct lobbies.

Part of it was the noise the motors made which were only two or three metres from an apartment bedroom.

"The finger looked pretty manky. It had a big bandage on it to cover the join." One eye was also 300mm lower than the other.

He said the makeover, costing "well north of $100,000", meant the Santa would stay for another 50 years at least.

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Sue   #24   06:11 pm Nov 21 2009

since when did we become so pathetic... its just a decoration for the season.

harri   #23   03:01 pm Nov 21 2009

The whole POINT of the Whitcoulls Santa was its hideousness. He looked like a creepy pedo santa with a busted face, and most people found it hilarious. Giving him a makeover is missing the point entirely.

Lilly   #22   11:38 pm Nov 20 2009

You're right Sarah #4 - he's Father Christmas, not Santa. We're in New Zealand not America. While I'm at it they're lollies not candy.

I like the Father Christmas 'cause we don't have many big decorative things like that here. Why can't we splash out a bit once and while?

andre   #21   09:41 pm Nov 20 2009

i like it. But also i am sick of this recession rubbish if i can recall correctly we came out of recession in September or earlier come on people stop using that as an excuse good ol kiwiana

smigz   #20   04:26 pm Nov 19 2009

Yes, Santa most definitely needs a big facelift.

It was downright scary.

Chris   #19   03:36 pm Nov 19 2009

what a waste of money, shouldn't coca cola be footing the bill for this ugly thing

KEN   #18   02:58 pm Nov 19 2009

I heard on Newstalk 1ZB earlier this week that the wink has gone. One of the guys who worked on it told Hosking - no surprise unless he was throwing public off the trail of the winking eye

carmen   #17   02:56 pm Nov 19 2009

i thought it was axed ages ago. its one of he best things about nz [along with goodnight kiwi]. im so glad its staying. {wiping away the tear}

C   #16   02:47 pm Nov 19 2009

My first thought was "Why does Santa need a makeover?"

...then I clicked in and saw his face. :( ze goggles, they do nothing..

Nick   #15   02:15 pm Nov 19 2009

What a waste of money! $100,000 on Santa...when we're in a recession, on lock down with spending, people are suffering but yeah, good on yah, go fix old Santa for over $100,000, crazy!!!

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