You know, sometimes the most unlikely things can spark a bit of a kerfuffle, can't they? And in New Zealand, it seems even a concrete duck can do it. This whole story popped into my head when I saw the name 'Paul Henry' linked with 'New Zealand'. Now, the Paul Henry I'm thinking of isn't a footballer – though there's a perfectly respectable Australian one born in 1976 who had a solid career, playing for clubs like Leicester City and even winning a league title. No, this is about a different kind of impact.
It turns out, the Paul Henry who made waves in New Zealand wasn't kicking a ball, but rather, he was a radio host. And the subject of his rather strong opinions? A rather large, yellow, concrete duck named Pawa, residing in the small Central Hawke's Bay town of Waipawa.
Imagine this: a town known for its annual Duck Race, a fundraising event that's been going for decades. To mark this occasion, they commissioned an artist, Jan Gosling, to create a mascot. And thus, Pawa was born – a 2-meter-tall, 400kg concrete duck. She was meant to be a symbol, a bit of local charm. But, as these things often go, not everyone saw eye-to-eye.
For 30 years, Pawa has been a point of contention. Some residents apparently love her, seeing her as a unique part of Waipawa's identity. Others, well, they've found her to be less than charming. In fact, back in 2003, a poll by Radio Pacific (yes, the very station Paul Henry used to host for) voted Pawa the ugliest town mascot in New Zealand. And Henry himself didn't hold back, calling her the "most offensive ornament in the whole of New Zealand." Ouch.
It’s fascinating, isn't it? How something so seemingly simple can stir up such strong feelings. You have people defending Pawa, saying her 'different-ness' makes Waipawa memorable. They tell stories of people in other towns immediately recognizing Waipawa because of the duck. Then you have the other side, those who found her an eyesore, a waste of resources, and even wished someone would just 'cut it down'.
What’s particularly interesting is Pawa's resilience. She's outlasted Radio Pacific itself. While she's not always on public display – currently residing in a local town yard – she makes a comeback for the annual Spring Fling festival and the headline Duck Race. It’s a reminder that even the most divisive creations can become part of a community's fabric, for better or worse.
So, while the footballer Paul Henderson had a career marked by league titles and club transfers, the broadcaster Paul Henry's legacy in this particular story is tied to a concrete duck and a town divided. It’s a quirky little piece of New Zealand history, proving that sometimes, the most memorable stories aren't about grand achievements, but about the everyday, the slightly absurd, and the opinions we hold about them.
