Viewpoint
* Herd of Te Awamutu * 23 September 2009
What do you think of the concept to promote Te Awamutu using a 'herd' of uniquely decorated fibreglass cows?
Te Awamutu Community Public Relations Organisation (the community organisation which operates the Information Centre and contracted by Waipa District Council to promote Te Awamutu as an attractive place to work, live and visit) have put forward a proposal to establish a unique herd of decorated cows as an attraction to draw visitors to Te Awamutu and into the business district.
The proposal is borrowed from the international project www.cowparade.com and would feature 35 life-sized fibreglass cows, each indiviually decorated by local artists. A proportion of the cows will be available to purchase by businesses, with the remainder at key focal points around the town (such as entrances to Te Awamutu). Letter to retailers with full details of the proposal.
The Chamber Executive has been asked to support the concept. Our board members are quick to praise the efforts, energy and initiative of those promoting the scheme, which undoubtably has plenty of merits. However, there are still some concerns and questions. We want to know what our members, and the business community think.
[Note - The Chamber of Commerce can only offer support in principle. Our role is to support all commerce, with members from trade, export, manufacturing and service industries as well as retail. Our mission 'Building better businesses' means we want to support positive ideas to help business in Te Awamutu, but we have neither the means nor core focus to provide any resources to promotion or publicity projects.
One possibility could be a retailers or 'promotion' committee within the Chamber which could work with other agencies to improve TA's attractiveness to shoppers.....would you like to initiate this?]
What do you think? Do you think the Chamber should support the scheme? Do you have an alternative idea?
Email: ceo@teawamutuchamber.org.nz and we'll post your views here.
(Note: The Editor reserves the right to edit or reject contributions at our discretion, for any or no reason whatsoever. The contribution would not be anonymous but be attributed to you, although contact email addresses will not be published.)
Why not go with large decorated roses around town instead of cows? We like the Rose Town theme so if it went along side that would be OK but not to replace – understand the thought of being part of an “international art” but the recent art awards made a mockery of the value of art! Don’t like the idea of the “herd” being imported as was reported – would support local-made or at least Waikato, or minimum NZ made! Debbie Vickers, mbar Ltd |
I like the idea that they’re trying to make TA a destination – but am not sure that this is the right idea.... Our concerns are: - Are the footpaths wide enough to cope with the space that the cows will take - Maintenance costs haven’t been included - This must have been done somewhere else in the world – what costs/problems did they experience – there doesn’t seem to be any information like this available Kirsty Walker, Beamish Gemtime Jeweller |
Definitely not. This idea has been done before in NZ and overseas. What is unique about cows Te Awamutu? The Finns and all the colour and drama that they represent are much more interesting and internationally known. What about Marilyn Sainty NZ fashion Designer who comes from Te Awamutu. I am not aware of many famous cows from Te Awamutu that overseas visitors would want too look up. Most of our womenfolk are very polite and respectable. Garth O'Brien, Garth OBrien and Associates |
We have had a discussion among all the staff and none of us would support this idea We have Te Awamutu known as the Rosetown of New Zealand and we do not think that we need another concept – certainly not this one. We all feel that this “Herd of Te Awamutu” concept would not sit well alongside our Rosetown image. Money would be better spent on enhancing the Rosetown image and maybe mass planting of roses. Let some town in Taranaki do the “cow” thing – we do not need it here. Betty Wakelin and team, House of Travel Te Awamutu |
I was at the B@10 when Lyn introduced this. I think it is a great idea, personally. I have had a look at the UTube videos of other places with them, and the one that impressed me the most was Chicago. If it can be done in a city with hundreds of thousands of people, then it can be done in Te Awamutu. I can see organisations within our community getting involved - like the College coming up with artwork designs, and school competitions maybe allocated once a year for a NEW Cow etc. Yes, there are hurdles to get over, but if other places have taken this concept on then won't they have been thru the same hurdles? Why not ask them how they overcame them eg graffiti, stealing a cow (if it is light weight), having to remove them from public access at night etc. Also, if Tirau has taken on the corrugated iron artwork, why not ask them how they overcame the graffiti issue, or stealing the art work. Otorohanga would have had the same issues with their artwork on the sides of buildings (like the butterflies, and the kiwiana images), they don't appear to be graffiti'd or stolen, yet are very accessible. Perhaps they were in the beginning, but the town supported the idea and got on with it. There is always a settling in period with anything new - this would be no different - this is not a new concept, just new for Te Awamutu. Quite frankly I see Te Awamutu having a far stronger identity with "Herd of Te Awamutu" (Te Awamoooooootu), than a Rose Town. IT WILL PUT US ON THE MAP. I think the Chamber should support this. Janis Bowker, Green Bazaar |
This is the Rosetown not the Cowtown. Push what we are known as. Several retailers are very concerned about the $2,000 per business levy. I have already made my views known – if the Chamber support this, I will cancel my membership. Cowtown, indeed! Miriam Gage, M Squared Ltd |
Te Awamutu is the Rosetown, NOT the Cow town. You are making life difficult for retailers – surely things are tough enough without loading small businesses with a demand for their share of the purchase of the cows. If you persist with this nonsense, I will not be renewing my membership. Miriam Gage, M Squared Limited |
An innovative idea but unfortunately in todays society would quickly become vandalism and graffiti targets requiring constant and on going maintenance. Therefore I do not support this proposal. David Bowler, Te Awamutu Copy Centre |
I think it is a fantastic idea and will be looking to buy one for outside our shop. Congratulations to whoever thought of it and went for it. Jo King , Guthrie Bowron Te Awamutu |
I would not support this concept in any form. I believe our "Rosetown" image is well received and known both nationally & internationally and there would be, in my mind anyway, no advantage in this proposed change. Wayvne Gulliver, Waipa Workingmen's Club |
Some years ago there was an excellent exhibition held in Auckland where artists and others painted a fibreglass life size replica of a cow. There were at least 100. They were auctioned and the proceeds went to ??? Those that were most sort after were those painted by famous or infamous artists. We hired one once for an art exhibition we held on a farm. It would be good if we could align it to good customer service or something similar to encourage people to shop in town. I would love to be able to look out our window and see a herd of cows grazing on Anzac Green. Robyn Klos, Gracelands Group of Services |
I am not a member of the Chamber but I do get all of your e-mails, which keep me up to date with your activities. On the cow subject----at first I experienced disbelief that this idea was for real and rejected it outright’ Then I spoke with Lynn and Dean and revisited my opinion. Firstly I had no idea how long the town would keep this plan going. Second---how does it fit in with the town upgrade starting soon and to be finished in time for the World Rowing champs in November? In the New Year works are about to start The Rosetown emblem is embodied in the Plan. I asked our new Promotions Dept to have a look at the idea and see how we could support if and where necessary. I am not sure I have changed my mind but if the majority of people want the concept then I will support whatever needs to be done. My only reservation is that it seems a lot of people do not want the Cow Town brand. Good luck with whatever you decide and I hope you take the people with you. Hazel Barnes, Councillor. |
Dear Chamber Executive, |