Dozens of people had their day brightened up with flowers in Whangārei as an international event that saw beautiful bouquets given out free to members of the public or left in random places for others to pick up descended on the city.
But the bouquets didn't belong to any particular person, they were left behind by members of the Mangakahia Gardening Club yesterday to mark Lonely Bouquet Day - an international day that encourages people to leave bouquets of flowers in public places for others to find and take home.
It is the third year the gardening club has celebrated the day with bouquets in Whangārei and member Kaye Jamieson said they expected to have made and given out more than 80 bouquets by the end of the event.
About 25 of the club's 50 or so members were at Whangārei Library yesterday morning making the bouquets, before then giving them out to people or leaving them ''on any available ledge or bench'' for people to find.
Jamieson said the club members never cease to be amazed at the response of those who have their day brightened up.
''We've had the whole range of things, tears, thanks and people just so happy to get some flowers. It really brightens up people's day and it's a fun thing for us to do,'' she said.
One of those to first receive a bouquet was 4-year-old Elizabeth, who was going to the library with mum Vanessa Fray.
''It my favourite colour,'' Elizabeth said with delight when she received her bouquet.
Fray said she and Elizabeth were just on one of their regular visits to the library when they were presented with the bouquet. She said it was a wonderful gesture that was a pleasant surprise for them both.
''They are beautiful,'' Flay said.
Jamieson said Lonely Bouquet Day was started by an American florist who wanted to practice her skills and the idea has now taken off internationally.
''We thought we'd do it for a year, but we really enjoyed it and it cheers people up so much, and here we are. We get a great reaction from people who find or are given the bouquets. Some then gift them on to others, such as at rest homes, which is great'' she said.
But being held in New Zealand in winter - when not many flowers are in bloom - can throw up some challenges.
''But we start planning about a month out and have practice sessions, and it means that we have to be even more creative, but it's worth it.''