'Icon of Maoridom' has the last laugh

The Air New Zealand billboard. Photo / Herald on Sunday

He was booted off Princes Wharf six months ago but John Kairau says he had the last laugh after starring in an Air New Zealand billboard campaign.

A self-described "icon" for Maori, Kairau can be found most days at the Auckland waterfront wearing traditional dress and offering tourists three photos with him for $5.

He can now also be seen on billboards advertising Air NZ's grabaseat service. Kairau is in full dress with the slogan "Get to the hui without the hikoi".

In January, the Herald on Sunday revealed Kairau had been moved off Princes Wharf by Tourism Auckland and Ports of Auckland. He moved to a spot near the Hauraki Gulf ferries.

"I was kicked out, put down, and criticised yet I've made it now. I am the face of Auckland for Maoridom," he said.

Kairau said although he was paid $1000 for the billboard, his motivation was raising the profile of Maoridom, not money.

Tourism Auckland chief executive Graeme Osborne said he had no regrets over the action taken against Kairau.

"I applaud him for getting out there and making it on to the billboards but it doesn't prove anything. He just doesn't fit with where we are heading."