Mainstreet Whanganui is devastated that newly-installed Christmas lights in the Majestic Square trees have been vandalised.
Events, marketing and promotions manager Kelly Scarrow said the organisation was alerted on Saturday, December 30, that the strings of lights had been broken overnight.
"It's very disappointing, especially as they had only been up for a couple of weeks," Mrs Scarrow said.
"The lights were amazing and a lot of money and time and effort had gone into them. One thoughtless act has ruined it.
"We at Mainstreet Whanganui work hard at ensuring our town centre is one of the most beautiful and vibrant in Aotearoa, creating a place where our community shops, works and engages with one another at our many events."
The vandalism caused major damage and Mainstreet Whanganui will need to determine whether the lights can be fixed, Mrs Scarrow said.
Mainstreet Whanganui has used social media to ask for help to identify who was responsible for the vandalism.
Mrs Scarrow said she had not yet received any information but appealed for anyone who knows anything to text or call her on 027 304 2126 in confidence.
The incident has been reported to the police.