The Grinch is not responsible for the lack of Christmas lights in Invercargill’s CBD — apparently it is the fault of construction works throughout the city centre.
The sparkly illuminations have been noticeably absent from the city this year.
Questions were put to council staff last week requesting an explanation.
Invercargill City Council roading manager Russell Pearson said the lights were normally put up from mid-November.
"The lights have not been put up this year due to a number of factors, including the inner-city construction and some of the wires being taken down.
"Last year they did not have the wires down so the lights were able to be strung."
Mr Pearson said the putting up of lights and decorations had not come at a cost to the council as it had typically been done through donation of time from staff at Powernet.
"While we haven’t been able to bring the usual festive cheer to the city this year, we are pleased we have still been able to put up Christmas trees in Bluff, Glengarry, at the Invercargill Public Library, in South City and in Windsor.
"There are also flags on street poles across the city and in Bluff."
