KEY POINTS:
As apologies go this was a biggie - about 10m by 30m in all.
But teenager Ben Parkinson, from Maungatapu in Tauranga, was a little coy when it came to explaining why he had created the word "sorry" in giant letters on mudflats at Waimapu Estuary yesterday.
The 19-year-old, just back from a year in Israel, spent one hour 45 minutes digging out his apology in letters about 10m long by 8m wide. All he would reveal about why he was taking the unusual step was: "It's for a girl".
Residents of Moiri Place called the Bay of Plenty Times, intrigued at what they could see unfolding before them.
It turned out the person responsible was neighbour Mr Parkinson, who had returned from a year at the Baha'i World Centre at Haifa, Israel, the day before.
"I suppose I did something stupid just before I left," he added. "I'm going to send a photo of it to her and try to win her back. Hopefully she will forgive me."
The girl in question is a fellow Kiwi, referred to only as Monica, from Auckland.
Neighbour Sandra Leong was mystified as she watched Mr Parkinson digging in the estuary beside Turret Rd.
"I was intrigued," she said. She decided to call the local newspaper to find out what was going on.
"It was a surprise to see someone digging into the mudflats."
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES
