Some holiday-makers are locking up their houses like Fort Knox before heading off to their favourite holiday haunts, with the help of an inventor in Havelock North.
Before heading off to the family farm for a holiday himself last week, inventor and hardware store worker Raymond Hemi helped fellow village residents create "fortified safe rooms" to keep their home possessions safe while they left for family holidays.
He then posted details on a Facebook page for Havelock North friends and residents social group.
"Two friends here in Havelock North have gone away on holiday.
"Both homes have security measures - sensors - alarms, but I suggested they both put their most valuable possessions into Kennards Self Storage and then came up with the idea of creating a fortified safe room to put their semi valuable possessions in."