Tauranga mayoral contender Mike Baker has been told to cover up election messages on his car after he jumped the gun for election signs by nearly a month.
He is dismayed by council rules that prohibit candidates from putting out their signs until September 14 - only six days before election papers start to be mailed out.
Mr Baker said it was virtually impossible for new candidates to promote themselves because a lot of people voted almost straight after their voting papers arrived in the mail.
"It is pretty draconian. It makes it a bloody sight harder for wannabes."
Mr Baker, who is also campaigning for one of the at-large seats on the council, has covered up the key words "the mayor" and "the council" in an effort to keep within the rules.