Taniwha rugby mascot putting his foot down

Giant blue footprints are appearing in Whangarei, weaving a path towards Toll Stadium.

Tane the Taniwha is keen for as many humans as possible to get along to watch Northland's home games in the ITM Cup, and reckons a trail of his footprints might help steer us in the right direction.

Red lines were painted on CBD footpaths last year ahead of the Rugby World Cup for the "Paint it Red" campaign, encouraging fans to spend time in town before games, walk to the stadium, and walk back to town afterwards.

That is to be replaced with a trail of Cambridge-blue Taniwha footprints, leading the way from CBD pubs and restaurants to Toll Stadium. Tane has been supported in his venture by Donovan Engineering, which has created the three-toed stencil of Tane's foot.

Northland Rugby Union spokesman Alistair McGinn said the Paint it Red campaign was so well supported that he hopes this one will follow suit. "If Whangarei could support three foreign teams, as it did last year, we're hoping a local trail with the Taniwha for the ITM Cup will be even more popular," he said.

Whangarei District Council's economic development manager Peter Gleeson said next Wednesday's is the first home game of the season for Northland, and it would be great to get a good crowd along to support and enjoy the atmosphere.

"If the weather's good, part of the fun on the night is to park in town and, with clusters of other people, to enjoy the camaraderie of the walk up to the destination along the trail of footprints," he said.

Coastline Signs are hoping for dry weather to get the footprints spray-painted in time for next Wednesday's game against Manawatu, kicking off at 7.35pm.

Northland also play Waikato in Hamilton at 5.35pm tomorrow.