Reon Suddaby Everyone's had it wrong all along - the concrete bollards in the middle of the Havelock North roundabout are not pods, they are actually abstract flower petals, according to urban designer Garth Falconer.
Mr Falconer, also a director of the Isthmus Group who designed Havelock North's controversial
makeover, says he is not concerned about the criticism of the bollards, or "pods".
"These projects are about change, they change places the people know well," Mr Falconer said.
Mr Falconer said there had been plenty of chances for people to have their say over the design of the area - Isthmus worked closely with the Hastings District Council, councillors, the community and retailers through the development process, as well as holding public meetings and meeting with groups such as the Returned Servicemens' Association and Grey Power.
Mr Falconer said a lot of attention had been given to the roundabout, because it was a focal point of the town, and was unusual because of the five roads running into it. The decision was made to create something strong and conspicuous, Mr Falconer said.
"Let's make it a strong statement, let's do something that is conspicuous and gives some landmark quality to the area.
"We didn't want it to be backwards-looking - it's always been a very progressive sort of village."
The bollards serve a dual purpose - they prevent people from driving over the roundabout, and they help keep pedestrians safe.
Bollards normally take the form of small poles, but Mr Falconer said it was decided something unusual would be better for Havelock North's "artistic, expressive community."
Mr Falconer is relaxed about the criticism the pods have received.
"I've chuckled about the blow-up aliens, and Mr Williams from Haumoana coming in to dig up the pods."
Mr Falconer urges patience, as there's still lavender to grow around the bollards, and he expects that in six months' time their effect will be considerably softened.
He is confident the people of Havelock North will eventually warm to the bollards, and says he has been lifted by the many supportive phone calls he has received from residents of the town, telling him to ignore the knockers.
He cites the redevelopment work the company did in the Hastings city centre, and the outcry over the "snake eye" lights, that eventually died away.
