Public Art In Dargaville
Dargaville, aka the gateway to the Waipoua Forest and the Kumara Capital of New Zealand, is a town in the North Island of New Zealand. The town lies on the banks of the Wairoa River about 185kms north of Auckland. Dargaville was founded in 1872 and was named in honor of Irish born timber merchant and politician Joseph McMullen Dargaville (1837-1896). During the 19th century, the area became known for its thriving kauri gum and timber trade with the river being used to transport the huge logs downstream. It produces 90% of New Zealand’s Kumara (sweet potato) crop. The most iconic statue in Dargaville is the Gumdigger statue.
