If you're wondering why you can't find any country flags in Marlborough, it's because Roy Te-Keeti, of Picton, has bought them all.
Retailers in Blenheim have reported a rush on flag sales and have sold out in the leadup to the Rugby World Cup, but are expecting more in the next few days.
When told the stores had sold out of the flags, Mr Te-Keeti, who has just turned 70, said, "because I bought them all".
Mr Te-Keeti has hung as many of the flags of the 20 competing countries on his front fence on Nelson Square as he could find.
"There were some I couldn't get, but I've got the majority of them."
Stores in Picton did not sell the flags, so he shopped around stores in Blenheim about a week before the World Cup started on September 9 and said he was in the right place at the right time.
"I had to keep an eye out. They were there and the next minute they weren't."
The colourful display was a good way to promote the cup in Picton, especially for tourists driving to games in the South Island, he said.
None of the flags had been stolen from the fence, but Mr Te-Keeti is laidback about the possibility.
"If they take it, they take it. As long as they're enjoying the World Cup," he said.
Mr Te-Keeti, who has lived in Picton for about 50 years, has watched most of the games on television and said the crowds and atmosphere were excellent.
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