Waiariki Labour MP Tamati Coffey is offering a reward for anyone with proof of who vandalised his billboards. Photo / Facebook
Waiariki Labour MP Tamati Coffey is offering a reward for information about the vandalism of his election billboards.
Coffey told NZME he felt for the volunteers who helped him by putting up and maintaining the billboards, after several were vandalised yesterday.
"I feel aroha for my volunteers who give their time so generously, for free, for the kaupapa," he said.
"People damage other people's property for all kinds of reasons but political billboards can be an easy target. In my opinion, don't get angry, just make sure you vote.
"My team have put up about 40 of the large billboards, from Taupō to Tauranga, Rotorua to Whakatāne. I'm not sure how many exactly have been targeted - enough to keep my volunteers busy a lot longer, but we will keep putting them back up again and again and again."
He said during the election campaign, the maintenance of billboards and signs never stopped.
"Once they are up, they often need to be maintained as they become subject to graffiti, the elements and nasty personal attacks. Our volunteers do the hard work, which in winter sometimes means working in the cold and the dark."
Earlier, in a Facebook post, Coffey called for information about the vandalism.
"SADLY, my amazing volunteers, who are spread all around the Bay of Plenty, of all ages, have been busy today repairing my billboards," he said in the post.
In photos posted by Coffey, it appeared some of his billboards had been torn down completely, while those belonging to other candidates were left untouched.
"I'm not sure if I'm the target of a hate campaign, but it's not nice, especially for my volunteers.
"I've laid complaints with the police and am awaiting CCTV footage on some of the ones vandalised near cameras. I want to identify the people doing this so I can get them out of the way, and deal with the real issues affecting our whānau."
He said he would offer a reward to anyone with proof of who did the vandalising.
"In the words of our PM Jacinda Ardern, 'be kind'," Coffey said.
A majority in the community wanted the money back, but the council chose to reallocate it.