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The Giant Corrugated Iron Dog And Sheep

📍 Main Road, Tirau 3410, New Zealand

Tirau is known as the corrugated iron capital of New Zealand, largely due to the whimsical sculptures created by local artist Steven Clothier. The town's information center is famously housed inside a massive sheep, while a giant sheepdog sits right across the road. Constructed entirely from corrugated iron, these oversized roadside icons celebrate the local farming industry with brilliant folk art creativity.

Admission
Free
Hours
Exterior viewable 24/7; Information Centre inside the sheep has standard business hours.
Duration
15 to 30 minutes
Parking
Street parking available along the main road in downtown Tirau.
Access
Flat footpaths surrounding the outdoor sculptures with easy viewing from the sidewalk. The information center building has wheelchair access.
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Tirau is a small Waikato town that famously transformed its economic fortunes through the medium of corrugated iron. Rather than fading away as traffic bypassed the main street, the local community embraced sculptural sheet metal architecture to turn the settlement into a self-proclaimed wearable-art capital of rural New Zealand.

At the center of this corrugated transformation are the iconic giant dog and sheep buildings, which serve as functional structures rather than mere statues. The dog building houses a local information center and wool shop, constructed with startling anatomical fidelity out of curved iron sheets, complete with oversized paws and a friendly expression greeting travelers on State Highway 1.

Just down the road, the equally impressive sheep building stands as a testament to the region's agricultural backbone. Together, these whimsical structures established a template for dozens of subsequent corrugated iron creations throughout the town, turning a simple highway stop into a destination for curious road-trippers.

Lore & References

  • The economic turnaroundLocals say the iron sculptures began as a desperate bid to stop motorists from driving straight through the town without slowing down.

Visitor Tips

  • ◆ Stop by the dog building to pick up local maps and regional travel information.
  • ◆ Bring a camera, as the entire main street features numerous smaller corrugated iron animals worth exploring.
  • ◆ Allow extra time to browse the local craft and wool shops housed inside the structures.
  • ◆ Visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the intricate metalwork and welding details.

Heads Up

  • ◆ Be cautious of passing highway traffic when crossing the main street to view both sides of the installations.

Common questions

Can you go inside the Giant Corrugated Iron Dog and Sheep?

Yes, the giant sheep actually functions as the Tirau Information Centre where you can step inside, while the adjacent dog building has been used for various retail businesses over the years.

Where are the Giant Corrugated Iron Dog and Sheep located in Tirau?

The sheep information center is located right on Main Road (State Highway 1) as you drive through town, and the corrugated iron dog is situated just a short walk away.

Who created the Giant Corrugated Iron Dog and Sheep in Tirau?

Local corrugated iron sculptor Steven Clothier created both structures, along with many other animal sculptures that decorate buildings throughout the town.

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