But few people have a rare and expensive garden feature in their back yard like Clive Matthewson does — a large pylon, affectionately named "my ugly garden friend".
It has been sitting on his Port Chalmers property humming away since 1948 as it ran high-voltage electricity across Otago Harbour to Portobello.
Later this month, after more than 70 years, Dr Matthewson will finally be able to say goodbye to his old "friend" when Aurora removes the power cables and dismantles the large metal structure, along with the others which stand on Goat Island, Quarantine Island and Portobello.
The power lines were replaced with a submarine cable several years ago because it was cheaper than replacing the pylons and wires.
Of course, aside from cost, there were other advantages too, he said.
It would improve the harbour views of everyone in the city, Dr Matthewson said.
"The harbour is beautiful, but when you go and stick some power poles and lines right in the middle of it, it’s clearly not attractive.
"If you were thinking of doing that today, you wouldn’t be allowed to do it.
"I am pleased that it’s going."
Dr Matthewson said his imagination was now running wild with thoughts about how he could use the space once it was cleared
— perhaps a spa pool, a granny flat, maybe even a vegetable garden with some garden gnomes.
