The maker of Kurow's "hay family" says she is gutted the three supersized figures have been burned down.
The set of characters made out of spray-painted hay bales burned down early Wedneday morning in a suspected case of arson.
The Slee family has made a hay family as a Christmas display in the North Otago town for more than 20 years.
Hundreds of people had visited the town to view this year's creation; three characters called minions from an animated film Despicable Me.
One of the makers, Janina Slee, says the fire is very disappointing and feels like an attack on the town.
Her family is replacing the hay family with a metal version of a minion - which cannot be burned.
The hay characters were inspired by the animated film Despicable Me. Photo: ELE LUDEMANN
