And Oamaru said, let there be lights

Among the 400 people gathered to watch the lighting of Oamaru’s new Christmas tree on Tuesday night are (from left) The Lion Foundation grants committee chairwoman Denise McMillan, with grandchildren Jake (7) and Pippa (9) McMillan, and Oamaru Licensing Trust chairman Ali Brosnan and general manager Cathy Maaka.

In August, the Waitaki District Council agreed to spend $57,000 on three new artificial trees for Oamaru, Palmerston and Kurow, co-funded by sponsorship.

Oamaru’s 10m tree was lit for the first time at a special event on Tuesday, which featured live entertainment and a sausage sizzle.