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The Avondale Spider
The Spider statue, a much-love mascot of Avondale, was taken down on 8 October 2024 to make way for the new Te Hono Community Hub development, that is now close to opening in Mid-2027. The Avondale Business Association, which owns the Spider, took the opportunity to renovate it with the intention of relocating it to a new home in Avondale town centre. The removal was a difficult mission, with an Eke Panuku team juggling the work through to the wee hours.
The Spider body is now stored with its original creators, Bootleg Designs, who have assessed the repairs required, which will be undertaken once funding is secured. The spider pole and web is stored at Rich Rigging, and we thank them for their support with this project.
Objektcare have been appointed project managers for the re-installation of the Spider, planned for Tait Park, with Council Land Owner Consent underway. Once approval is gained a major fundraising campaign will be begin to finance it's final installation.
Looking Back
In 1999, the giant fibreglass and steel spider that sat atop Mobil Avondale was removed due to a change in policy by Mobil Australia. The spider was stored under the Taphouse bar (owned by the Portage Trust) before being repurposed by the Avondale Business Association and relocated to the town square in July 2002.
“Dale,” as it was dubbed at the time, re-emerged as part of the launch of the new Town Square. It was created by Ray Harmen at Bootleg Designs Ltd with a working title of "Boris."
Grants from the Portage Trust and the Avondale Community Board, in addition to funding from the Avondale Mainstreet Programme, made the $50,000 installation project possible.
Dale is a stainless-steel and fibreglass life-like model approximately five metres across, weighing 500-600kgs mounted on a stainless-steel web, six metres above the ground.