Ohakune has its carrot, Dargaville the kumara, Paeroa an L&P bottle and Gore has gone overboard with a trout, a guitar and a sheep. Now Dannevirke is to get a Viking.
After a period of heated debate, a Viking icon for the southern Hawke's Bay town has been given the go-ahead by the Tararua District Council.
Resource consent for the Viking will come with 10 conditions, related to construction, height and lighting constraints.
A 10m-high reinforced glass feature will be made by Wellington sculptor Denis Hall, with the help of Weta Workshop, NewstalkZB reported.
The Dannevirke Promotion and Development Society is fund raising to find the $280,000 needed for the project.
Though Dannevirke had Scandinavian heritage, many residents wanted the Viking image thrown out - saying the warrior did not suit the town.
History has painted Vikings as barbaric, although they were also noted explorers and adventurers.
Signs at either end of Dannevirke clearly identify with the Viking symbol. The word "Farvell" farewells visitors.
Many locals - including Maori leaders - were against a pagan statue on the high street.
Opponents said portraying a warrior race renowned for pillaging, looting and carrying off women would be culturally insensitive and would distort the history of the town.