The much-loved Spider statue, a local mascot of Avondale, was removed on October 8, 2024, to make way for the Te Hono Community Hub, which will begin construction in December. The Avondale Business Association, which owns the Spider, plans to restore and relocate it to a new spot in Avondale town centre.
The dismantling was a tricky task, with the Eke Panuku team working late into the night. The statue is now with Bootleg Designs, its original creators, for repairs. Once evaluated, a fundraising campaign will support its restoration.
Originally built in the mid-1990s by Bootleg Design for the release of Arachnophobia, the Spider was modeled after a preserved Avondale Spider. It had been displayed temporarily on a service station roof before being stored. The upcoming restoration promises to bring this iconic symbol back to Avondale for good.
