Originally published in Waikato Times, Tuesday 9 December 2025.
By Mike Mather.
Riff Raff might be well trussed up for now, but a big celebration is planned on February 14 is planned to mark his return. PHOTO: Kelly Hodel / WAIKATO TIMES.
Hamilton’s favourite - and possibly least controversial - statue is soon to make a triumphant return to his traditional home in Embassy Park.
Actually, Riff Raff is already back. He’s just all wrapped up and nonchalantly tucked away in a corner of the park outside the new Waikato Regional Theatre.
Riff Raff Public Arts Trust chairman Mark Servian said the Riff Raff statue was lifted back into his old home by a mobile crane last Thursday.
The effigy of the deviant butler from The Rocky Horror Show will remain under wraps until shortly before the park - which is still under construction - is opened to the public.
Prior to being removed to make way for the construction of the Waikato Regional Theatre, Riff Raff cut a striking figure in Embassy Park - and he soon will again. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES
That day is likely to be January 19, when three nights of community opening celebrations titled To The Stars/Ki ngā Whetū, will be staged at the city’s new theatre.
While those events will be joyous occasions, a possibly even more ebullient celebration is scheduled for the evening of Saturday, February 14 - Valentines Day night.
Rocky Horror creator Richard O’Brien himself will be in attendance to “re-unveil” the statue in his likeness, followed by a mass performance of the show’s signature dance number: The Time Warp.
Riff Raff found a temporary home outside Waikato Museum - but again had to be moved on, to avoid being in the middle of another construction zone. PHOTO: Mark Taylor / WAIKATO TIMES.
The statue’s current resting place, by a fence amid all kinds of construction materials, is close by what will become its permanent position - which will be on the opposite side of Embassy Park from its old location.
“It’s not so much a jump to the left and a step to the right, as a jump to the back and a step to the left,” quipped Servian.
The evening will feature entertainment by One Man Hit Squad and street carnival band Sambatron, to warm the crowd up.
The unveiling and the Time Warp is scheduled for 8.30pm, and the party will conclude with a screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at 9pm - complete with accompaniment from the Hot and Flustered Shadowcast.
Rocky Horror has legions of fans in New Zealand - and plenty of them turned up for Riff Raff’s original unveiling in 2004. PHOTO: Jeff Brass / WAIKATO TIMES
For those unable to make it to Hamilton for the celebration, it will be broadcast live on the Riff Raff Facebook page.
One of Hamilton’s best-known tourist attractions, Riff Raff was originally unveiled in a similar night of revelry in November 2004.
Designed and built by Weta Workshop artist Greg Broadmore, it marks the spot where O’Brien worked in a barber shop in front of the now-demolished Embassy movie theatre where he watched late-night double features - B-grade horror and sci-fi titles such as I Was A Teenage Werewolf and The Snorkel - that inspired Rocky Horror.
Weta Workshop artist Greg Broadmore designed and built Riff Raff. His concept design pictures him in more verdant surroundings than he initially ended up - but he definitely will be, once Embassy Park reopens.
Unlike other statues, such as the effigy of Captain Fane Hamilton - after whom the city is named and which was abruptly removed from Civic Square following threats to vandalise it - Riff Raff is apparently beloved by all.
It has become an icon of the city, and a feature of numerous late-night selfies taken by on-the-town revellers.
The statue was removed from Embassy Park when it closed in October 2021, to allow the building of the new theatre next door.
He had a temporary home on the forecourt outside Waikato Museum from March 2022 until July 2024 - when he again had to be removed to make way for a revamp of that building - and has been in storage ever since.
Riff Raff’s re-unveiling is not the only big Rocky Horror event being held early next year.
From February 26 to March 8 the Auckland theatre The Civic will host a stage production of the rock and roll musical, followed by seasons in Christchurch and Wellington.
At this stage, it looks like Hamilton will be off the touring circuit of the stage production, which boasts an A-list cast of theatre actors.
Hamiltonians unable to make it to those centres will at least be able to attend another screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, at the Meteor Theatre on February 27 - part of the forthcoming Hamilton Arts Festival.