Auckland City's Farmers Santa is back on the Whitcoulls Corner

Buoyed by rousing endorsement from the public of Auckland, a refreshed and revitalised Farmers Santa has made his much anticipated return to his perch on the Whitcoulls corner in the CBD.



The city’s iconic and much loved Father Christmas has been under the knife since you last saw him but is now in place high on his perch above one of the country’s busiest intersections.



After months of plastic surgery at a secret Auckland location, Santa and some yet-to-be-identified helpers are soon to be unveiled on Queen Street – thanks to Heart of the City, Auckland City Council, long time Santa champion Farmers and Whitcoulls.



“St Nick requires some post-operative care,” says Heart of the City Auckland CEO Alex Swney. “So his new look will not be obvious until the dressings are removed.”



Santa’s surgeons were the Bootleg Design team who say around 4,000 man-hours have gone in to the restoration of his face together with the new additions.



“We’ve had a team of six working on the big project for around 16 weeks. It’s a huge operation when the patient is almost 20 metres high. And of course, we have to ensure he remains where he is for the duration of the festive season, and that’s an engineering feat in itself,” says Bootleg’s Carl Moody.



Alex Swney is not saying exactly what the surgery involved or who will be joining the Farmers Santa on the Whitcoulls corner.



“You may recall we asked Aucklanders last year if they wanted Santa to return for 2009 and they voted overwhelmingly in favour. But we have also taken on board some suggestions and comments from various parties on his appearance.



“Now, thanks to the generosity of Farmers and Whitcoulls and a meaningful makeover, Santa is back on his customary perch.”



Farmers head of marketing Dean Cook says the company is delighted to again be a partner in bringing to town the iconic symbol of the festive season.



“Farmers is 100 years old this year and Santa made his debut on our big Hobson Street store in 1960. Couple that with our instigation of the Farmers Santa Parade in 1934 and we think they’re a couple of great reasons to help Father Christmas make his comeback.”



Whitcoulls’ Peter Kalan says the company is thrilled with Santa’s return.



“We’re excited to be part of this project. Santa’s been part of Christmas in Auckland for years, and it’s great to pitch in and give him a bit of a facelift for this season.



“And of course we’re pleased he’s camping on Whitcoulls doorstep yet again this season,” Mr Kalan says.



Mr Swney says the new display will be dramatically unveiled on Sunday November 22 at Whitcoulls corner.



Ends



Note to Editors:

Santa has now been installed on the Whitcoulls building, and has bandages covering his face.

Santa’s new-look will be unveiled on Sunday November 22 at 2pm outside the Whitcoulls building on the corner of Queen St and Victoria St.

Entertainment starts from 1.30pm