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Auckland's Queen St Santa -
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Some call him iconic, some sleazy, but for 48 years Santa has either delighted or terrified Auckland children.
He originally sat on top of the old Farmers building, then ten years ago moved to Whitcoulls on Queen Street.
But Santa doesn't come cheap, and Whitcoulls has had enough, gifting him and his $55,000 a year bill back to the city.
Santa has been looking down on Aucklanders since 1960. But, times have changed.
"In 1960 that was seen as being quite appropriate, a very Christmas children's story, come into Farmers, now the suggestion is it's maybe not so appropriate in 2008," says Alex Sweeney, Heart of the City.
Santa's wink is now gone, and the loud noise irritates the neighbours.
But the real issue is who pays for Santa. For ten years he has been a gift of sorts from Whitcoulls, but now they have pulled the plug.
And that leaves Heart of the City, funded by central city business ratepayers, to foot the bill.
The $55,000 pays for liability insurance, storage, getting him up and down, all of which combined, is phenomenally expensive.
So whether Santa stays or goes, it's over to the public to show their support.
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