Sculptor Phil Price had his measuring tools out last week at the Rakaia salmon, riding up in a cherrypicker to inspect where the lifting hook will make contact.

The plan is to remove the salmon before Christmas for a major renovation, but getting it off its support stand and back on is a big logistical exercise.

The sculpture is about 12m long and weighs 1.6 tonnes. It was constructed with an internal fitting so it could be lifted with a hook and Mr Price went up last Thursday to check the hardware was in working order.

Once the lifting hook is made up and the big fish is hooked by crane, it will be cut off its steel support and then gently lowered onto a truck for transport to Mr Price’s studio in Waltham, Christchurch.

Group Manager of Community and Open Spaces Toni Durham said Mr Price would also need to build a special cradle for the fish to rest on while undergoing repairs. It will also allow the fish to spin in situ.

“The size of the sculpture makes it fairly tricky to manoeuvre. Once it’s on the back of the truck, it will have a quick stop-off in Hornby for sandblasting before Mr Price and his team begin the refurbishment at his studio.

“We’re lucky to have the services of Ashburton Crane at a reduced rate to lift it off and on, and then Tarbotton Land & Civil have also offered to transport it without charge. We’d also like to thank EA Networks for the use of their cherrypicker at a reduced rate.”

At Mr Price's Waltham workshop, the salmon will undergo repairs to its interior wooden skeleton and its fibreglass exterior. It will then be carefully painted, scale by scale over six weeks, and finished with a clear UV seal for protection against the weather.

Contractors will meet soon to discuss the shifting process and confirm what else needs to be done in preparation.

Mrs Durham said the refurbishment would ensure the iconic sculpture lasted another 20 years.

“We know the salmon is famous locally and well photographed by tourists, and it has helped put Rakaia and the district on the map. We’re hoping our landmark fish will be absent for only a couple of months.”

The salmon was commissioned by the Rakaia Lions Club and blessed by the Wizard of Christchurch during a brief promotional tour of Cathedral Square before if left Christchurch.

It was unveiled to the public on 27 April 1991, with MP Jenny Shipley and Mayor Geoff Geering in the official party.