Overview
A striking celebration of movement, balance and grace.
Rising more than three metres above the trail, Kōrikori captures the elegance of a dancer poised en pointe. Created from corten steel, this remarkable sculpture transforms an industrial material into a form that appears light, fluid and full of motion.
Positioned overlooking the Waihi River corridor, Kōrikori will create an unforgettable moment for visitors, inviting them to pause, reflect and appreciate the beauty of movement expressed through sculpture.
What Kōrikori will bring to the trail
Kōrikori brings a unique artistic dimension to the Geraldine Sculpture Trail.
While many public sculptures celebrate landscape, history or abstract forms, Korikori introduces the human figure in a way that is both contemporary and universally understood. Dance transcends age, culture and language, allowing an immediate connection between artwork and viewer.
The sculpture’s commanding presence and graceful silhouette will create a distinctive landmark within the Rhododendron Dell Trail. Seen from a distance, it will draw visitors forward; viewed up close, the intricate steel fabrication reveals the extraordinary craftsmanship behind the work.
By combining strength and delicacy, Korikori offers an experience that is both visually striking and emotionally engaging.
About the Artwork
Kōrikori is a 2.4-metre-high corten steel sculpture depicting a dancer balanced en pointe atop a compact steel plinth. Including its base, the sculpture rises to more than three metres in height.
The work showcases the remarkable transformation of rigid industrial steel into flowing, organic forms. Every stage of its creation, from structural design and framework fabrication through to shaping, welding, grinding and finishing, requires exceptional precision and craftsmanship.
The sculpture’s faceted surfaces catch and reflect changing light throughout the day, creating a sense of movement even when standing still. The result is a powerful contrast: an industrial material known for its strength and permanence expressing the grace, balance and poise of a dance.
Location
Kōrikori will be located on the Rhododendron Dell Trail, on a grassy knoll behind Verde overlooking the trail and river. The location was selected by the artist and approved by the Timaru District Council in October 2025.
Visitors approaching from the Village Inn will gradually discover the sculpture as they walk along the trail, while those travelling from the library end will catch glimpses of the work before it comes fully into view. This carefully considered positioning enhances the sense of anticipation and arrival, making Korikori a memorable feature of the trail experience.
Help bring Kōrikori to the Geraldine Sculpture Trail and create a landmark artwork that celebrates beauty, movement and imagination for generations to come.
The Artist
Lars Thomsen and James Thompson
Lars Thomsen and James Thompson are Christchurch-based fabricators whose work combines precision engineering with contemporary steel sculpture.
Specialising in high-performance automotive fabrication, they have spent years mastering the art of transforming raw steel into functional works of precision. Their move into large-scale sculpture grew from a desire to push beyond engineering and explore the expressive potential of steel.
Combining traditional fabrication techniques with modern geometric design, they create sculptures that reveal the beauty and versatility of steel.
Kōrikori is their first large-scale public sculpture.
Donor Story
John and Nicky Donkers – Kōrikori
For both of us, Geraldine has always been more than a place to live; it’s the community that shaped our family, our values, and our sense of belonging, and it’s the place my parents called home. Next year marks a special milestone – 100 years of Rosebank Farm on Geraldine Flat being in the Sheed family.
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Our parents quietly gave their time, energy, and care to the communities they were part of. Their service was never about recognition; it was about strengthening the fabric of the places they loved.
As we considered how best to honour their contribution, the Geraldine Sculpture Trail felt like the perfect expression of what they stood for: generosity, creativity, and community spirit.
This project has been close to our hearts for many years. Having been involved since its conception seven years ago, I have seen firsthand the dedication, vision, and persistence required to bring it to life. What began as an idea to create a free, open, year-round trail that blends high-quality New Zealand art with native regeneration has grown into one of Geraldine’s most exciting and ambitious community assets.
The trail’s model is special in Aotearoa: open access for everyone, every day of the year. It is a place where locals can walk, reflect, and reconnect; where visitors can discover the beauty of our landscape and the creativity of our artists; and where art and nature sit side by side in a way that feels distinctly New Zealand.
The Timaru District Council and Department of Conservation’s involvement ensures that the trail not only showcases art but also embraces the surrounding native environment. The planting plan creates a lush, textured backdrop that will continue to evolve over time, a living canvas for the sculptures that will stand in it.
For John and me, sponsoring a sculpture is both a tribute and a gift. It honours the legacy of our parents, Shirley & John Sheed and Alda and Harry Donkers, who believed in contributing to their communities’ well-being. It is also our way of giving back to Geraldine, a town that has given us so much and continues to inspire us.
We hope that this sculpture and the trail become a place where stories are shared, creativity is celebrated, and future generations can enjoy something truly special.
John and Nicky Donkers
