SANTA’S LAST STAND
Father Christmas faces the axe after 60 years
He was the world’s largest fibreglass Santa when he was built in 1960 and this year Auckland’s giant Santa is retiring after one final Christmas.
For the best part of 60 years, the big man has towered over Aucklanders each festive season, changed hands for $1, lost his wink and moving finger, and was crowned the world’s creepiest Christmas ornament.
But after being saved from retirement in 2014, the central city’s business association Heart of the City says this time it’s for real.
Santa will appear one last time atop the Farmers building in Queen St tomorrow before hanging up his red coat for good on January 10.
“We know Santa is well-loved by many Aucklanders,” says Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck, “but sadly, for a combination of reasons, it feels the time is right to retire this model.”
Among the reasons for Santa’s retirement: it’s time for a fresh paint on the weary Father Christmas; his 18-metre, five-tonne frame costs $200,000 to store, maintain and assemble; and he needs a new home to rest up.
In 2014, SkyCity and family-owned property development company Mansons TCLM committed three years of funding.
Beck said Mansons had gone way beyond what they agreed to do, but with no confirmation beyond this year Heart of the City made the call to retire Santa.
“For us to continue with Santa on our own is unsustainable,” she said.
From 1960 when Santa was installed on the Farmers flagship store on Hobson St to the current day when
he sits above the Farmers store on Queen St, Beck said Santa was a joyous part of Auckland’s Christmas tradition, so it’s important to give the cheery figure a fitting send-off.
“We want to provide Aucklanders with the opportunity to say goodbye to Santa.
“Many of us have fond memories of him.”
Beck said Santa’s retirement had prompted a rethink of how to celebrate Christmas in a changing city such as Auckland but it may take a few years.
Heart of the City is inviting people to share their memories and photos of Santa. Images and comments can be uploaded to heartofthecity.govt.nz, emailed to farewellsanta@hot.co.nz or shared on Instagram and Facebook using #FarewellSanta. They will be published on a dedicated page on heartofthecity.co.nz/farewellsanta.