The light of St Paul's Church in Kaikoura is shining brighter than ever thanks to volunteer workers and council funds.

The church, which sits on the hill above the West End, was fitted with rows of bright white lights to illuminate and frame the building against the night sky last month.

The Kaikoura District Council tourism and development committee funded the lights which cost about $1000 and the work was conducted by volunteers from the Kaikoura Enhancement Trust.

The trust's aim was to beautify the town and had carried out various other projects such as painting the railway bridges and planning the bus shelters in the West End in 2011.

Kaikoura Mayor Winston Gray said the idea for the lights came when trust members gazed down the main street and their eyes were drawn to the church on the hill.

"It really stood out to us."

Residents had felt the town needed to put more effort into how it presented itself over the holiday season, he said.

The church allowed a trial row of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) to be placed around the bottom of the church and the decision was made to expand on it.

The trust is an off-shoot of the council and was directly involved in setting up Innovative Waste in 2000.