Covid 19 coronavirus: Tauranga Labour hoardings taken down following lockdown vandalism

Labour election signs vandalised on Turret Rd. Photo / George Novak

Labour election hoardings around the Tauranga area are being pulled down following a string of vandalism focused on the change in alert levels.

"F*** your alert" and claims "lockdown" can be seen graffitied over Labour hoardings along Totara St and Turret Rd in Tauranga.

It comes after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Auckland would move to level 3 at midday on Wednesday, following new cases of Covid-19 in the community.

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Tauranga Labour list MP Jan Tinetti told the Bay of Plenty Times, she did not take it personally, but the decision had been made to take the signs down.

"We decided that most of our signs in the public places we were going to take down because we just think that it's not needed and we also don't want people to be upset on our behalf.

"We want people to be 100 per cent concentrating on the fact that we're a team and the team needs to do their part. It's a moment of following the regulations around the different levels, and we don't want anything to be taken away from that whatsoever."

The decision has been made to take down the signs following the vandalism. Photo / George Novak

She said the decision was made on Wednesday morning following copious calls to her office regarding the vandalism, something she had never experienced before.

However, it would only be a temporary measure, to "stop the distraction".

"I do get a bit concerned people have a different point of view, in that they don't understand the public health measures the Government is taking on their behalf, however, that's not the majority."

Two weeks ago, former women's refuge manager and Bay of Plenty Labour list MP Angie Warren-Clark said vandalism of her hoardings, featuring the blacking out of her eyes, felt like a personal attack.

Nazi symbols and black eyes were among some of the hallmarks defacing Labour election hoardings featuring Bay of Plenty MP Angie Warren-Clark. Photo / Supplied

A large swastika had also been spraypainted on hoardings featuring Warren-Clark on Pāpāmoa's beachside community, in July.

"Personally ... when I see someone blacking out my eyes, that's different to me than what it might mean to other people. To me, that feels like an attack. To me, it feels personal. But also, the use of Nazi symbolism, I find that really abhorrent," she said at the time.

A police spokeswoman confirmed they were aware of vandalism in all parts of New Zealand.

Vandalism of election hoardings can be found on Totara St and Turret Rd. Photo / George Novak

"Police are aware of a number of reports of political billboards having been intentionally damaged over the last few weeks across the country.

"We would encourage anyone that witnesses this type of activity to call and report it on 105, or 111 if it is happening now."

Information can also be given anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, she said.

Waiariki Labour MP Tamati Coffey said he had no comment as it was, "just another case of vandalism".