Controversial 'Quasi' Sculpture Leaves Wellington After Five Years

The divisive giant hand sculpture by Ronnie van Hout is set to be relocated to Australia, marking the end of its tenure in New Zealand's capital.

Quasi, a 16-foot sculpture by Ronnie van Hout, features a hand with a human face and has been a fixture on the City Gallery Wellington roof since 2019.
Originally installed in Christchurch in 2016, the sculpture moved to Wellington, where it sparked mixed reactions ranging from delight to revulsion.
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau expressed relief at the sculpture's departure, while others in the community have come to embrace it as an iconic part of the city.
The sculpture's removal was described by City Council member Ben McNulty as a defining moment for Wellington, reflecting its polarizing impact.
Quasi will be airlifted to an undisclosed location in Australia, leaving a 'Quasi-shaped hole' in Wellington's skyline, according to the Wellington Sculpture Trust.