Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull is “pretty proud” to have a gigantic black phallic object protruding from the Octagon.
The ‘artwork’ piece titled ‘The Haka Peep Show’ is a large black pou (post or pillar) that contains 3D videos featuring four haka performed by prominent Maori leaders. The piece is the brainchild of artist Rachel Rakena. Onlookers can view the haka videos through various peepholes placed in the shaft of the enormous member.
The main idea behind the artwork was to raise awareness surrounding the controversial issue of "commodification of Maori and indigenous sportsmen through the use and exploitation of their masculinity and their culture, in the media ".
To the naked eye the piece resembles a huge black penis, but apparently it was designed in the shape of a Rexona deodorant can, and is connected to their sponsorship of the All Blacks. Rakena admitted that her work did have a phallic reference, which references the ‘sexualisation’ of Maori.
The large member wasn’t cheap, with $50,000 of DCC money spent on the schlong, along with additional funding from Ngai Tahu.
Critic trekked to the Octagon to pay homage to the giant penis, and spoke to members of the public to find out what they thought of it.
“I fucking love it” was the response of American exchange student, Lafonda Smigel who went on the say that “it reminds me of home”. She also explained that “after the foam party at Alibi on Friday it looked like there was jizz all over the place”.
A slightly intoxicated English supporter informed Critic that the artwork “made me feel rather inadequate about my wee pecker”.
An elderly man, who Critic recognised as a regular at Dunedin Casino, seemed appalled at the frivolous misuse of ratepayer’s money, “It’s ridiculous that the DCC is having to double the time it will take to pay off the stadium, yet they are willing to throw $50K at a big black whoopee stick in the middle of our lovely city. What an embarrassment.”
Councillor Lee Vandervis clearly agreed with the man, and “resigned in disgust” at the expenditure of taxpayer money. In response Councillor Bill Acklin vowed to lay a complaint against Vandervis for breaching Council rules on confidentiality.
Mr Cull appears unapologetic about funding the work in the middle of the World Cup. "I must say I'm pretty proud of the fact Kai Tahu did not say 'let's put on a paua shell rugby ball'.”
The penis has been featured in news media around the world
Mayor proud of his big black cock
