After at least 40 years, Whangarei's Snow Conservatory is getting a new roof.
The old roof was made of glass reinforced plastic and at a time when roofing materials were not as ulta-violet resistant as they are now.
In the years which have passed, the roof had started to crack and develop holes, which not only let out the heat which is important to the tropical plants, but also let in the rain.
The Snow Conservatory was built in 1970 and named in memory of Stanley John Snow, a well known local citizen, to honour his contribution to the city over many years in civic and other fields.
Nowdays the conservatory is home to a collection of tropical and subtropical plants.
New translucent panels will replace the old roof.
The conservatory, along with the cactus house and the fernery form Whangarei's Botanica and it's not just the conservatory getting some repairs, with the cactus house also getting some work done before Christmas.
The $45,000 roofing and repair job will be carried out by Northland Property Maintenance Ltd.
The crews have moved the potted plants into storage, but will have to work around those that are planted into the ground in the conservatory and cactus house.
Plans are in place to avert any prickly situations, and only one of the tropical palms needed a light prune.
The two buildings were closed on December 4 open and will be closed until December 22.
In the meantime the fernery is still open to visitors.