The nameless new mascot for Hastings has been busy "earning his keep" in the city, as he waits to be officially named.
Hastings City Business Association general manager Jane Janes said staff found the mascot, a giant rugby ball, when they turned up for work on Tuesday and were appealingfor the public to name him.
The events manager for the association, Andrea Taaffe, said the ball had settled in and was making himself useful around town.
"Now that he is here, he is earning his keep," she said.
"He is very proud of being part of Hastings so his way of contributing is to help clean it up because Hastings is going to look fabulous in time for the Rugby World Cup."
Yesterday the ball was helping with the Heretaunga Street 300-block upgrade, just one of the many things he would be doing to support Hastings, Mrs Taaffe said.
The ball's surname is Heart, as in "Heart of Hawke's Bay" and first-name suggestions can be emailed to nameme@hastingscity.co.nz
