Canned sunshine to put aside for a rainy day

Visitors can't get enough of the Whakatane sunshine and snap it up by the canful, says John Squires, who works at the information centre. Picture / Alan Gibson

Whakatane has such brilliant sunshine they're canning it to share around.

The small tins, for sale at the town's Information Centre for $2.50, are selling "like hot cakes", staff say. "People love them."

A common question from buyers is: "Can you open it?"

Directions on the label advise: "For best results, open can with care - preferably in a confined space. The concentrated sunshine emitted will saturate pores, revitalise and bring back fond memories of sun-filled days in Whakatane."

There's a caution: "Wear sunglasses when opening."

The small print says the product has no artificial flavours or colours, is preservative-free and "a good source of holiday memories".

In hot demand by visitors and locals who send them to tease family and friends in New Zealand and overseas, the cans sell in their hundreds.

One buyer took 50 recently to hand out as gifts at a conference.

Whakatane Sunshine is a promotional gimmick dating back more than 20 years and trading on the fact that the Bay of Plenty town records some of the highest sunshine hours in the country.