Ashley Weir began sprucing up park benches after moving to Papamoa 15 months ago as a way to look after the neighbourhood he loves.
Mr Weir, 75, said he noticed the benches could do with some work on The Gardens Drive soon after he and his wife arrived from Taupo.
The retired electrician contacted Tauranga City Council about it but was told the benches did not belong to the council and were installed by developers.
"The seats just stayed there and there was no love or attention given to them," he said. "I asked the council if I could do them up and they gave me the materials and I did them."
Mr Weir has restored seven benches, two of which needed the slats replaced, over the past two months.