Popular Xmas display moved to park 

Source: ONE News

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The couple behind one of New Zealand's most popular Christmas light displays has been told they cannot do it this year because it's just too popular.

The council says the 4,000 people the light display attracts every night are creating traffic chaos and safety issues.

At this time of year, Bernard Harding's Botany Downs home is usually a Christmas wonderland.

When ONE News visited four years ago, it was packed with people young and old, admiring his collection of Christmas goodies.

But this year, the only thing displayed in his yard is a sign condemning the council for putting an end to his 12-year tradition.

"We were bitterly disappointed when we were told we couldn't do it. So many people coming around to see it, we didn't want to disappoint everybody by closing it down," says Harding.

The Manukau City Council blocked the award-winning display from going ahead this year, saying the people it attracted each night were creating traffic mayhem and safety concerns.

There is no denying the road next to the house is busy - two Christmases ago an elderly woman crossing it to see the lights was fatally struck by a car.

With a lack of parking on the other side of the street, the council is concerned the same thing could happen again.

So it looked like Harding's 300 festive novelties would be spending Christmas in a box until the local business association offered him a new location for the display.

The Howick Village Association has given him the chance to display his decorations in a park.

"We had this beautiful park sitting in Howick here, and thought that for the community it would be a great place to put his lighting display, for everybody to still enjoy," says Jenny Foster, spokeswoman for the Howick Village Association.

Since then the council has come to the party, covering costs of resource consent, traffic management and electricity to run the event in the park.

Harding is grateful it's going ahead but says it will not be quite the same.

"I'd much rather have it at home here because going up to the park even though it's very good it still takes it away from being a family giving back to the public. And that's what we're doing. We're just trying to give something back."

He just hopes this does not stop others lighting up their homes this Christmas.