Riff Raff Statue
Current Location: 1 Grantham Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton 3204, New Zealand
Designer: Greg Broadmore of Weta Workshop
Website: http://www.riffraffstatue.org/
Opening Date: November 26, 2004
Status: Open
History
The Riff Raff Statue is a free-standing bronze statue commemorating Rocky Horror's creator Richard O'Brien (who once lived in Hamilton). It was commissioned by Weta Workshop and unveiled November 26, 2004. The statue is mounted on a pedestal featuring a Transylvanian Lightning Bolt, and a dedication plaque featuring The Lips. The statue is in a small park in a busy shopping area, located on the former site of the barber shop Richard O'Brien once worked in. It was put in place in large part due to the efforts of Mark Servian, who enlisted Rocky Horror fans to write in support. Servian stated that O'Brien supported the statue, however requested he be portrayed "in drag," so the statue was designed with Riff wearing his "spacesuit," which includes stockings. In 2016, a Sonic Transducer was added, along with public lavatories. As the path winds down towards the Waikato River, there are film quotes on the walls and benches. There is a live cam on the website where visitors can download a picture of themselves standing by the statue. The statue has become an emblem of Hamilton and a pilgrimage site for Rocky Horror fans.
Temporary Relocation
In October 2021, the statue was temporarily relocated from Embassy Park to the forecourt of the Waikato Museum in Hamilton in order to accommodate the construction of the Waikato Regional Theatre. The statue is expected to be returned to its original location following construction of the new theater.
External Links
Hamilton council sets stage for new theatre by moving Riff Raff away [1]
Rocky Horror statue unveiled at new temporary site [2]
Riff Raff lurking outside Waikato Museum for a while, following re-unveiling [3]
