The Rotary Club of Rotorua is set to brighten the city this weekend with the launch of its Sunflower Spectacular, aimed at raising funds for the Rotorua Hospital children’s unit.

Organisers say the vibrant display is not only a symbol of happiness but also a way for the community to come together.

The project will be opened by Rotorua Deputy Mayor Sandra Kai Fong at 10am on Saturday at the sunflower site in Ōwhata.

Rotary Club of Rotorua president Russell Dale said the club would be selling sunflowers from Saturday, with sales continuing in the coming weeks.

The first flowers appeared just more than a week ago, and Dale said the paddock was now full of “yellow smiling faces”.

“We knew virtually nothing about growing sunflowers, so it was a steep learning curve.”

He told the Rotorua Daily Post the club sowed 60,000 sunflower seeds in December and had an excellent germination.

“We estimate we could have 45 to 50,000 flowers if they all flower, but how many we sell will depend on the support we get from the local community.”

Proceeds from the project will go towards buying specialised equipment to support children’s health and improve facilities in the Rotorua Hospital’s children’s unit.

Rotary president Russell Dale says the Rotorua club sowed 60,000 sunflower seeds.

The sunflowers have been planted on land at the end of Mansfield Rd, off Ōwhata Rd.

Dale said sunflowers had “long captured the hearts” and imaginations of people around the world.

“With their vibrant yellow petals, towering stems, and large, cheerful faces that seem to follow the sun, sunflowers naturally evoke feelings of happiness and warmth.”

When planting, he said, the club discovered there were many different varieties of sunflowers, varying in height and colour.

“We opted for a tall plant averaging 1. 8m high with average-sized yellow flower heads and reaching maturity within an estimated 65 to 75 days from sowing.”

Dale said he wanted the community to enjoy the spectacle of a paddock full of “towering golden flowers”.

“Walk amongst them, take lasting photos of friends and family and take flowers away to enjoy at home whilst knowing the funds we raise will benefit the children of Rotorua and the surrounding districts.”

The Rotary Club of Rotorua estimates it could have 45-50,000 flowers if they all flower.

He said the club was grateful for the strong community backing and encouraged residents to support the fundraiser by buying sunflowers and attending the opening event.

“They [hospital] do an amazing job supporting local children, and our support will enable them to purchase new medical equipment that they struggle to fund through normal funding sources.”

The initiative has received support from local organisations including Olsen Forestry, Hello World Travel, Te Tumu Paeroa – the landowners where the sunflowers were planted – and Palmers Rotorua Garden Centre.

Entry to the sunflower field is $5 per adult, while kids 12 and under get in free.

Stems are available for $3 each, or people can choose four stems for $10 or 10 stems for $20.

The sunflower field will open from Saturday between 10am and 4pm on selected days, depending on sunflower readiness.

Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University