Morrinsville Mega Cow is part of the 'Herd of Cows?' — a collection of life-size cow sculptures placed throughout Morrinsville, showcasing the history and heritage of a town that calls itself the Cream of the Country and the Dairy Capital of the World. The project weaves together the region's strong dairying sector and its growing art culture, and this bovine at 86 Thames Street is one of the colourful stops along the trail.
The idea began with a simple goal: to put Morrinsville on the map and put smiles on the faces of everyone walking the town's streets. It was realised as a gift to the community, with CooperAitken Chartered Accountants on board as founding and major financial sponsor in celebration of 100 years of service in Morrinsville.
Visiting is easy and informal. The cows stand in public places and can be enjoyed around the clock, and a trail map from the Morrinsville Information Centre at 251 Thames Street helps you track down the whole herd — the project challenges you to find them all. Every cow, artist and sponsor is profiled on the project's website, and the Information Centre also stocks mugs, coasters, magnets and other merchandise, alongside the Meryle Lockley Cow Collection.
Families, school groups, gardening clubs and workplaces on team outings all find something in the trail, and the Morrinsville Art Gallery on Thames Street makes a natural companion stop for anyone wanting to see more of the town's art side.
Morrinsville wears two nicknames proudly: the 'Cream of the Country' and the 'Dairy Capital of the World'. The Herd of Cows? street art project turns that identity into something you can walk through — a collection of life-size cow sculptures placed throughout the town, each one showcasing the history and heritage of this Waikato community. This listing spotlights the Mega Cow at 86 Thames Street, one memorable stop on a trail that has become the town's calling card.
The 'Herd of Cows?' was born from a simple desire to put Morrinsville on the map. As the project's own team tells it, the town doesn't lean on famous natural features or headline attractions — but it has something real to celebrate. Morrinsville is, at heart, a town supporting the agricultural industry, with a growing arts culture anchored by the Morrinsville Art Gallery. The herd was dreamed up as a way to combine the two: staying relevant, building on existing strengths, and showing the world what the place is all about.
The ambition was disarmingly simple — to put smiles on the faces of everyone walking Morrinsville's streets. The project stands as a gift to the community, generously supported by CooperAitken, Chartered Accountants, the founding and major financial sponsor, as part of their celebration of 100 years of service in the town.
The cows live in public places around town, on show around the clock — the project invites everyone to enjoy them 24/7. Start at the Morrinsville Information Centre at 251 Thames Street to pick up a trail map; the centre is open Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm, Saturdays 9.30am-2.30pm, and Sundays and public holidays 9.30am-12.30pm, closing on Sundays during the winter months. The website profiles each cow along with its artist and sponsor, so you can plan a route before you set out — and the project lays down a friendly challenge: find them all.
Part of the fun is the variety. These are quirky, colourful bovines, each treated as an artist's canvas, turning the walk between them into an informal tour of the town's streets and public spaces.
At 86 Thames Street stands the Mega Cow, the sculpture this listing celebrates. It carries the same spirit as the rest of the herd — playful, proudly local, and rooted in the dairying heritage that made the town's name. Snap a photo, then let the trail map lead you on to its herd-mates around town.
The Information Centre rewards more than a quick map pickup. It is home to the 'fabulous' Meryle Lockley Cow Collection, and it stocks Herd of Cows merchandise — mugs, coasters, magnets and other pieces — so the trail can come home with you. The centre's staff also help with wider travel plans: destination maps, visitor guides, Hobbiton bookings and tickets for bus, ferry and train travel.
Art-minded visitors should add the Morrinsville Art Gallery at 167 Thames Street. Conceived as a centre of excellence showcasing New Zealand art and artists, it gives the trail's street-side sculptures a gallery counterpart — and rounds out the picture of a small town with a serious art culture.
Practically everyone. Teachers bring students to learn about different forms of art. Grandparents turn it into a fun day out with the grandchildren. Gardening groups tour the trail, and workplaces have used it as an 'Amazing Race'-style team-bonding event. Because the cows sit in public places and never close, you can shape the visit however you like — a lunchtime stroll, a weekend scavenger hunt, or a full town-wide expedition.
However you do it, the Herd of Cows delivers on its founding dream: smiles on the streets of Morrinsville and a town proud of who it is and what it is all about. Bring a camera, bring the kids, and see if you can find them all.