The bronze statue design shows Mr McCaw standing holding a rugby ball.
Kurow Museum Committee chairman Bob Watherston said the design was given final approval by Mr McCaw and his family.
''It's what Richie wanted. It represents a staunch look before kick-off; or something like that. We had very little to do with it. We left that to the family and sculptor.''
The statue would stand on a plinth and was expected to be a bit bigger than the real Mr McCaw.
''Not quite two metres.''
The statue was to be created by Lyttelton sculptor Mark Whyte.
Just over $20,000 had been raised so far for the statue which was expected to cost up to $170,000, Mr Watherston said. However, work on it has already started.
''It's not related to the funding.''
Negotiations were under way with private landowners near the children's playground on State Highway 83 for a space to place the statue.
Ideally, it would sit where a giant cutout of Mr McCaw stands, Mr Watherston said.
''We're starting to record the number of people who photograph it each day. Tourists stop. I'm sure it will be a popular tourist stop.''
It was hoped it would be in place sometime in February 2018.
