It’s our mountain parrot

Kea statueNew Zealand native parrot the Kea has taken up permanent residence at The Remarkables’ newest terrain park – concrete lookalikes, that is.

Two replicas of the cheeky bird – with one more on its way – were choppered into the ski area on Monday.

Arrowtown sculptor Conor McNicholas was commissioned by Burton and NZSki to make the Keas for The Stash terrain park, which officially opens on Saturday.

McNicholas spent the past eight weeks working on the sculptures – each weighs about a tonne and is fashioned from silicon rubber moulds and a fibreglass shell.

Skifield boss Ross Lawrence (left) says they picked the Keas to make The Stash more localised.

“The northern hemisphere’s Stash has “the Shreddie” from the yeti family as their symbol,” he says.

“We haven’t got any mythical creatures but we certainly have quite a character unique to NZ in the Kea – they link in perfectly to the alpine environment.”

Top riders from Burton have the first chance to hit the new park from 10am, then it’s the public’s turn to have a go after ribbon-cutting at noon.

Kiwi band Rhombus will perform at the base building from 2pm.