Harawene - affectionately remembered
Posted by: 
ex-Vigiles
S 38° 07.463 E 176° 18.549
60H E 439447 N 5780158
Roadside statue of dog "Harawene" on Te Ngae Road, Rotorua, New Zealand.
Waymark Code: WM81Q9
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 01/10/2010
Views: 10
The bronze statue of Rotorua icon, Harawene, was fitted on her noew roadside placement on December 7 2009. When Harawene the Dog disappeared from sight on early 2008, many locals were saddened to think that she had gone forever.
Harawene was an iconic Rotorua figure who lived on the side of Te Ngae Road for about 15 years. The terrier cross was often seen walking along the busy road, never too keen to be close to the thousands who visited over the many years.
It was said that the Rotorua SPCA received 5 calls a week from concerned residents. What started out as a moody stray turned into a silent companion to many thousands who passed by.
Detractors have said she was "just a dog" but the compassion that emerged from the community was inspiring. For 15 years complete strangers cared for her, fed her and created her a place out the rain only for her benefit. That and her endearing personality, clearly a free spirit, has meant that even today you will see both individuals and whanau paying their respects to the place she once called home.
Harawene had lived on the side of Te Ngae Road running away from anyone who tried to get close after she had run away from her Tokoroa family after coming to Rotorua about 15 years ago.
Source: TangataWhenua.com
Rotorua Daily Post
Breed: Terrier cross
Date Built: 2009/12/7
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