Lights out in the park

Decorative light fittings in Cambridge Park are on their way out because the fixtures can no longer be sourced in New Zealand.

The development is well known for its impressive lights and the ambience is one of the many reasons which attracted Martin Green to move from Waiheke Island to Cambridge last year.

Green contacted contractors last week, while they were swapping out the lights, and was told they could no longer get the parts.

“These lights contribute charm and amenity to the streetscape and were likely required as part of the subdivision design,” he said.

Waipā roading manager Bryan Hudson said the electronics had worn out on some of the lights. A light bulb change would not have fixed the situation. Everything is light emitting diode (LED) now and more energy efficient.

“As light manufacturers are no longer producing these old light types it is not possible to purchase replacement parts.

“Our lighting contractor has gone to significant effort to try and keep the lights going. However, it has come to a point where this is not economical or a long-term solution to up-keep,” said Hudson.

Development standards now require LED lights from an approved list where quality and reliability are more strictly controlled.

It makes light replacement on the Waipā network for affordable and practical, he said.

Green said it would have been nice to be consulted. While it was probably the best economic outcome “in some cases urban design and amenity must count for something.”