Hay look!

WHANGA-HAY: More than 500 hay bales are scattered across a Whangarei park, meaning nearby residents can boast of "rural views" for at least the next few days. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

You will have seen Santa popping up at shopping centres and events around Whangarei, and a central city park has been transformed to cater for his reindeer.

About 80 per cent of Pohe Island Reserve is covered in 550 hay bales, creating a peculiar scene for Hatea Loop walkers and drivers on the busy roads nearby.

The bales came about from a contra deal Whangarei District Council had with hay makers at Craig Mann Agricultural.

WDC parks technical officer Spencer Jellyman said because Pohe Island became so boggy in winter, the council's usual contractor was unable to mow the grass, so let it grow. Come the drier weather, the grass was too long for a traditional mower.

Craig Mann used their hay making equipment to bring it under control, free of charge in exchange for the hay produced.

Mr Jellyman said it was the third year the council had used this arrangement.

"It's about getting the park tidy for Christmas and the holidays."

Mr Jellyman maintained the hay would be used by local farmers and would be collected in the next few days. But the Advocate had reports of up to eight reindeer seen nibbling on the bales under the cover of darkness.