Who would have thought algae could be a beautiful thing?
For a roundabout enthusiasts' group in the United Kingdom, that is exactly how they feel about one of West Auckland's most well-known landmarks, a algae-inspired roundabout.
The UK Roundabout Appreciation Society has named the famous Titirangi Roundabout the international roundabout of the year.
It will be featured in its annual calendar next year, as the December cover.
President of the group, Kevin Beresford, told the Weekend Herald their society had been around since 2003 and was made up of people who had a fascination with the circular junctions.
"There's nothing more expressive. Anything can go on a roundabout - you've got fountains, statues, there's even - in England - a windmill that produces flour on one.
"That's the whole beauty of roundabouts."
The Titirangi Roundabout features three large algae-inspired sculptures designed by then art student Lisa Higgins in 1993.
It was initially meant to be a temporary fixture, but locals have claimed it as a big part of their home.
Over the years, people have used it to advertise their businesses, the odd garage sale and protests.
Mr Beresford, who lived in New Zealand for a few months in 1985, said he received hundreds of emails of roundabouts from all around the world.
But they had never come across one with algae-like sculptures sitting on top of it.
"This is unique and that is what we love about this roundabout.
"As soon as we saw that roundabout, we thought: 'That is a Maori sculpture'. But it's not - it's algae - and that's what freaked us all out.''
He acknowledged many people might think their interest in roundabouts was a craze shared by only a few; but that was not the case, he said.
Their Roundabouts of the World calendars are hugely popular and are ordered from people all around the globe.
"It is an impressive accolade. It really is.''
Last year's international roundabout of the year accolade was awarded to one in Carmel, Indiana, in the US.
Circular junctions or intersections have been around since the 18th Century, but Mr Beresford said the first ever roundabout was Columbus Circle, in New York, which appeared in the early 1900s.
As well as the latest award, New Zealand already has a claim to international roundabout fame.
Wellington's Basin Reserve, the historic cricket ground, is the largest roundabout in the Southern Hemisphere.
