A headless man holds a large trout.
When people insert a $2 coin, a metal bar lifts and the person can fit their head over the man's body, providing a photo opportunity.
The Southland Times reported some residents were horrified about the construction of the $11,000 tourist attraction, questioning whether it belonged on the waterfront or would be better placed elsewhere.
The trout contraption belongs to the Fiordland Community Events Centre Trust, and it was initially approved as a fundraiser for the Te Anau Community Hall about 10 years ago.
The community hall is now in place and the trout was delayed due to an upgrade of the waterfront.
But now some residents have suggested it would be better placed beside a nearby toilet block.
However, tourists spoken to by the Otago Daily Times had a different view and thought the contraption was just the ticket.
Two people, who did not wish to be named, said there were attractions like it all over the world and it was a quirky and fun addition to the waterfront.
Invercargill children Lara (13) and Blake (9) Colyer and Kara-Mae Taylor said it was "actually pretty cool'' and thought perhaps there should be a similar attraction at Bluff, using an oyster.
The children encountered technical difficulties when the machine would not accept their $2 coin, but they improvised, sliding their heads through another gap to pose for photographs.
