A kaumatua from Wellington iwi Te Atiawa says a sign featuring a taniwha's eyeball, instead of Wellywood, on Miramar Peninsula would represent the city's history well.
The taniwha is among a shortlist of ideas drawn up by the Wellington Regional Council for a permanent sign near the airport.
Te Atiawa elder Morrie Love says the hillside was once a pa site, and the story of how the harbour was formed is well known in Maoridom.
He says taniwha Whataitai, with its eye moving with the wind, would create the impression it was watching over the harbour.
