'Floral' clock with a big difference

Guests invited to celebrate Whangarei's restored "floral clock" could have been forgiven for exchanging sideways glances.

Laurie Hall Park's ground-level clock, in disrepair for a number of years, has been restored, but with an interesting touch -- it has no flowers.

The minimalist approach was chosen for good reason, Whangarei District Council parks landscape officer Simon Cocker said.

"To reduce problems of vandalism, I wanted to reduce the number of flowers that were targeted."

So none were planted.

Instead the clock's new red hands sit above a bed of white stones.

As another defence against vandalism, the clock's hands will be removed each night by a security company.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)