Plans to erect a massive bronze warrior statue in Ngaruawahia have been axed.
Waikato District Council spent $10,000 on concept designs for the warrior, which would have stood eight metres and weighed 30 tonnes, but have now said there is not enough support for the project from the community, The Dominiion Post reported.
"The council did pay to commission the statue mockup to assess the interest of the community. It went out for the community's feedback and it is clear there is not support for that design," council spokeswoman Narelle Watts said.
"Waikato Tainui are actually looking at other concept design concepts. The council is simply waiting for iwi to come back with their findings. As far as that specific Maori warrior statue goes, yes, it is dead in the water."
