You will have seen Santa popping up at shopping centres and events around Whangarei, and a central city park has been transformed to cater for his reindeer.
About 80 per cent of Pohe Island Reserve is covered in 550 hay bales, creating a peculiar scene for Hatea Loop walkers and drivers on the busy roads nearby.
The bales came about from a contra deal Whangarei District Council had with hay makers at Craig Mann Agricultural.
WDC parks technical officer Spencer Jellyman said because Pohe Island became so boggy in winter, the council's usual contractor was unable to mow the grass, so let it grow. Come the drier weather, the grass was too long for a traditional mower.
Craig Mann used their hay making equipment to bring it under control, free of charge in exchange for the hay produced.