Support a Weta
March 31st, 2010 at 4:00 pm by David FarrarWellington Airport have not totally given up it seems on the Wellywood sign. They have said they are willing to consider alternatives that get across a message of “Wellington, “Film” and “Global”.
So unless enough people support an alternative, we may still end up with a Wellywood sign. So for those who like the idea of a giant weta, I’ve set up a Facebook page you can join to show your support.
March 31st, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Why not cut to the chase and erect a massive bronze statue of Peter Jackson standing astride Wellington Harbour?
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Which weta species are we talking about?
Wetapunga? Mercury Island Giant Tusked Weta? Bush Weta?
It might make a difference.
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 5:04 pm
How about one big ring?
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Giant models of characters of famous NZ films, changed regularly- now that would be cool.
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 5:30 pm
I fail to see why one very successful business should be allowed to display their signature “name” at public expense. The attraction of Wellywood is it was neutral and provided some publicity for an exciting new industry for which the Weta owners have been very well recognised indeed.
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Wellyfucking wood…. Jacksonfuckinwood…. giantstupidwetafuckingwoodstatue…
Here’s a thought from an outsider…. why not….
Welcome to Wellington.
OR…..
Put away your brollies and put on ya raincoats and gumboots cause it’s fucking cold, windy and wet here.
Hmmmm, maybe that’s to long.
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 5:50 pm
i still reckon a wet/windswept pig..with it’s snout deep in a money-trough..is wellington..
phil(whoar.co.nz)
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 5:52 pm
I would support a giant construction based on the following famous image from NZ Film-making:
Vote:http://goregirl.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/bad-taste.jpg
March 31st, 2010 at 6:58 pm
DPF
There is already this group;
Say NO to Wellywood, say YES to giant weta.
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Wellington and Basildon both…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7535633/Basildon-to-get-Hollywood-style-giant-white-sign.html
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 7:59 pm
The Ohakune Carrot says “we have carrots”
The Gore Trout says “we have great trout fishing”
The Te Puke kiwifruit say “we have great kiwifruit”
The L&P bottle says Lemon & Paeora is a famous NZ product.
What does a giant weta say? We have scary insects! Most outsiders aren’t going to get the connection to Peter Jackson and Weta special effects.
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 8:03 pm
I have a simple question (rephrased a few different ways
):
Why must there be anything at all? Why not simply a green forested hillslope? Why a sign? Why a giant weta? Why anything?
Just curious.
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 8:05 pm
i’m with 8.03..
phil(whoar.co.nz)
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 8:14 pm
I think in a strange way, that’s what I was trying to get to David.
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Oh, and by the way, think of all those _towns_ that have those symbols. Any cities? No? So why would Wellington wish to relegate itself? Not that I mean any of those places are less than wonderful, it’s just that usually they have those “icons” so that they can distinguish themselves in some fashion. Wellington is the capital. I would have thought that was more than enough.
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 8:31 pm
The town “symbols” are designed to try and get people to stop in places they might otherwise drive straight through. It is often just a “been there, photographed” occasion but if some people call in to the local tearoom or pub while they have stopped a small town gains some custom.
If someone has already landed at Wellington airport then Wellington is already a destination – sure, they could travel through and head north somewhere, but seeing a bloody great something on the hillside is hardly going to affect their travel plans. If it’s up a steep hill it’s not even a very good photo opportunity.
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 8:40 pm
the whole idea just sucks and blows on all levels..
how about a sign saying..’there was almost a sign erected here’..?
it would have as much resonance as any of the other ideas..
have the clowns taken over..?..when we weren’t watching..?..or something..?
..hey..!..how about a sign on rangitoto..?
i dunno..maybe something original and unfilching from other/outside/’bigger’ cultures/countries..?
how about..?..’auckland:..the paris of the south’…?
(that’ll have them changing their travel plans..eh..?
signs can do that/have that effect..didn’tyaknow..?..)
geddit..?..geddit..?..
wellington can have hollywood as the place to steal/borrow lame-arse ideas from..
..we’ll have paris..!
nyah..!..nyah..!..wellington/wellywood..!..
..(tho’..’wallywood’ would be far more an accurate description..eh..?..)
phil(whoar.co.nz)
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Hay guys.. its Wellington..
A GIANT WIND SOCK!
Welcome to Wellington.
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 9:37 pm
How about we erect a facade of the beehive instead? It would nicely symbolise the lack of substance in NZ politics
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Its called Wellington already, stop being insecure and live with it.
Those that matter know about Weta and its success they don’t need visual pollution , those that don’t know don’t matter.
Most of the world dont even know about New Zealand let alone what its capital is, they dont need to be extra confused.
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Wellington has a symbol, the wind. We have multiple sculptures dedicated to the wind, one that most people leaving the airport can’t avoid – the Zephyrometer
What else do we need apart from a welcome to Wellington sign at the airport?
Actually, perhaps a 10x larger than life blanket man sitting on the first roundabout leaving the airport would be appropriate.
Vote:March 31st, 2010 at 10:49 pm
I’d like them to use any spare money to cut charges, not vandalise wild green spaces.
Pauleastbay – it’s also called Te Whanganui-o-Tara, which is a MUCH cooler name than some English duke’s.
Vote:April 1st, 2010 at 6:24 am
Love the Weta idea. Go for it!
Vote:April 1st, 2010 at 9:01 am
Why not spend the money on improving the airport or… NOT spend it at all?
Its off the wall I know but no one has explained why there is a need to piss money away for the sake of it.
Vote: