black is the new orange

Given that it had snowed just a few days prior to the desired start date and normal paints would struggle with the cold, Resene wintergrade technology was used. The carrot was painted in wintergrade formulations of Environmental Choice approved Resene CoolColour™ Black paint and Resene Sea Fog. The Resene CoolColour paint is formulated with special pigment technology to reflect more heat than standard paint colours, so the CoolColour paint surface won’t get as hot as a normal black paint would.

Officially unveiled in 1984, the iconic Ohakune giant carrot was originally designed as a prop for a bank advertisement. A group of enthusiastic growers saw the opportunity to own the giant carrot. It was then trucked from Wellington to Ohakune and has been promoted as the town’s icon ever since.

Also joining the Paint it Black fan club was the iconic giant lobster in Kaikoura. Also normally orange it has had a makeover to become the Mainland’s biggest kiwi rugby fan decked out in black and white. The lobster is over six metres in length and was built using steel mesh, paper mache and fibre glass in 1994. It reached icon status in 1998, featuring on a stamp issue celebrating town icons, the same set of 10 stamps that also featured the Ohakune giant carrot.

Both icons will be returned to their normal orange selves with fresh coats of Resene paint later this year.

From the Resene News – issue 3/2011

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