Mitre 10 Mega is engaging in some trans-Tasman billboard rivalry with arch-rival and newcomer Bunnings Warehouse, which opened its first large store in the region.
One Mitre 10 billboard has the words "chilly bin" with a tick and "eskie" with a cross. Another has the words "underarm" and "overarm" which is similarly ticked and crossed, alluding to the 1981 cricket test underarm bowling incident.
Mitre 10 Mega Napier and Hastings co-owner Graeme Ricketts said the billboards were a "fun" way to respond to Australia's largest household hardware chain's Bunnings Hastings Central at the former premises of The Warehouse on Market St North.
"We knew Bunnings were coming to town so the whole idea was to make people laugh and remind them we are still here and are locally owned and operated," he said.
He said there were plans for more billboards but would not divulge their slogans.