The Whakatāne-Ōhope Community Board is strongly supportive of an initiative to install some form of lighting display in Wharaurangi, the community gathering area in the heart of Whakatāne’s CBD.

At its meeting this week, Board members considered a proposal to fund the installation of an eight-metre high, lit Christmas tree. Chairperson Christine Chambers says that while there was considerable support for the concept, members decided that the cost of the tree, installing and removing it each Christmas, and the likely need to replace it in as little as three years, was too high.

“Given the level of financial deprivation in the wider community which has resulted from the April floods, we felt that the likely cost involved was inappropriate at this time,” she explains. “However, there was a strong desire to have a lighting feature which would create a vibrant and uplifting feel in the CBD, for the benefit of locals and visitors alike, and we have asked staff to investigate affordable options which could be used to support special occasions throughout the year.”

The Board anticipates having further information on lighting display possibilities available at its next meeting.