ROTORUA There’s something about Mary – the statue Mary of Ngakuru, that is. The sculpture in Carrara marble by Auckland artist Michael Pervan, now stands in the Rosary garden at the Tyburn Benedictine sisters site near Rotorua.

About 1.6 metres high and weighing some 350kg, Mary of Ngakuru looks different from every angle, so communicates many messages, said Mother Xavier, the Mother General for the Tyburn sisters.

The statue, which took Mr Pervan about five months to complete, started off as a 750kg block of marble.

It was part of the shipment of stone for the altar at St Patricks Cathedral in Auckland, Mr Pervan said.

About four years ago, he thought Mary was in the block and somehow had to be brought out.
The help of the Holy Spirit and some very hard work saw the dream become a reality. It is believed to be the first Carrara marble statue sculpted in New Zealand.

Mary of Ngakuru was blessed by Hamilton Bishop Denis Browne and unveiled at a Mass on March 25.

When the sisters first moved to the property near Rotorua in April last year, they planned to have a Rosary garden and a small statue of Mary was donated.

But the sisters, while grateful, felt they wanted a larger one, but couldnt afford it, with all available funds going towards building the monastery. The sisters prayed for Mary to show them how they could proceed.

Donors, who wish to be anonymous, came forward and Mr Pervan could start.

The resulting very special work of art raises the standard of Christian art in New Zealand, Mother Xavier said.

Mary emanates a combination of love, humility and awe in relation to her son.
The child has a freedom to be his own person.

When the statue was unveiled, a gasp came from many present, Mother Xavier said.
Later, people kissed the foot of Jesus.

Mother Xavier expects many others will want to see Mary of Ngakuru and she invited people to come and pray there as many already do.