Sir Peter Snell Statue (2007)

This statue, outside the Opunake Library, was unveiled on 19 May 2007.

It was commissioned by the Egmont Community Arts Council; sculpted by Fridtjof Hanson (New Plymouth) and cast in bronze by Ross Wilson (Marton).

Peter Snell was born in Ōpunake in 1938 and spent his first nine years there before moving to Te Aroha and then secondary school at Mt Albert Grammar. He was made a Distinguished Companion of the NZ Order of Merit in 2002, however following the restoration of titular honours by the New Zealand Government in 2009, he accepted a knighthood. 

Related documents:

Opunake bids for Snell statue (Taranaki Daily News 4 March 2006)

Snell bronze set to feature in Opunake centre (Taranaki Daily News 23 March 2006)

Bring on the bronze (Taranaki Daily News 4 April 2006)

Snell statue reminder of man's qualities (Taranaki Daily News 22 May 2007)