Official Information Request - Hemo Gorge Sculpture

Sent: Thursday, 11 February 2021 12:05 pm

Subject: Official Information request - Hemo Gorge sculpture

I refer to your online Official Information request of 11 January 2021 regarding the Hemo Gorge sculpture, and respond below as per your request:

(1) There's a visible tilt in the metal base plate relative to the concrete foundation plate. This causes (or partly causes) the sculpture to tilt in the approximate direction of Whakarewarewa Village. Is this an intentional design decision? And if so, whose decision was it, and why?

There is no intentional design decision. The sculpture sits in its natural level resting place. The surrounding ground has a slope for water runoff.

(2) Who, specifically, holds the IP rights on the sculpture and the metal base plate? I would like to know the names of the legal entity(s), and also what country(s) they're based in. Note that I'm not interested in the IP holder(s) for the concrete foundation plate. And if there's more than one IP holder for the sculpture and the metal base plate, then I would like to know who all of them are.

The intellectual property is owned by a partnership of Rotorua Lakes Council, Te Puia and Kilwell.

(3) I would like a copy of all suitably-qualified safety and risk evaluations, for the sculpture and the entire complex surrounding it. At a bare minimum, I need suitably-qualified opinions in relation to:

(a) Pressure-related, fire and heat risks, including pressure-related risks should the sculpture catch on (or be exposed to) fire.

(b) The likelihoods of explosive and flammable gases being present in the sculpture complex, from geothermal, traffic or other sources.

If you do not have such opinions, could you please say so, using clear non-ambiguous language.

Council does not hold this information in relation to the sculpture; it is not required under the Building Act. The complex surrounding the sculpture is the responsibility of NZTA.

(4) There are two ducts that open up in the centre of the concrete foundation plate. What is the purpose of each duct, and what/where do the other ends of the ducts open into?

Both ducts are power cable ducts which run from the power source connected to the NZTA network to the sculpture lighting.

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this response. Complaints can be sent by email to info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, by fax to (04) 471 2254, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.

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Regards