Rotorua's Christmas tree has popped up in the heart of the city this morning.
Many locals were surprised to see the Christmas tree standing in Te Manawa before December but most were happy it looked more like a tree than previous years.
Tony Jensen had recently returned to Rotorua after 40 years and said everything had changed in the central space but it was also all the same.
He remembered growing up in Rotorua when the Christmas tree was in front of the old Post Office and hoped this tree would be a focal point like the previous tree had been.
"Every town should have one and I think it is the perfect place, it is where people gather." Jensen said.