In the beginning of year 2000 Peace through Unity embarked upon a culture of peace sculpture project in the city of Wanganui, New Zealand.

With the help of the regional Art Gallery, and with the approval of the Wanganui District Council, who donated the site for it on public ground, a culture of peace sculpture design competition was organized for all artists of the region. The winner’s name was announced at a multi-cultural celebration in the Gallery.

The design “Handspan”, chosen by 3 independent judges, is a large work of art, almost 20 meters in diameter, which rises in a double spiraled pathway to a height of about 3 meters with walls on each side, covered with some 4000 terracotta hand casts made from hand prints of community members of all ages (from 3 months to 106 years old) – each named.

On 18 September 2001, the land where the sculpture was to be built was blessed during a special Dawn Ceremony.

The construction was built through the combined skills and cooperation of people from many parts of the community: artists, construction workers, electricians, plumbers, plasterers, architects and engineers as well as all those who contributed a hand to the sculpture.

On 21st September 2002 the first fixed International Day of Peace the sculpture was dedicated to a culture of peace and non-violence for the children of the world by the New Zealand Governor-General at a ceremony on the historic hill at the heart of Wanganui City where it is situated, neighbouring the Regional Museum, the Art Gallery, the Public Library and the War Memorial.

A coffee table sized book “Wanganui Culture of Peace – 2002” has been published
as a memento and public record, describing in pictures and text the process of building the sculpture, the thoughts behind it and the people involved. Copies are available.