High school show billboards disappear

Hannah Ross, left, and Rachel Boyd are disappointed the signs promoting their school play have been mysteriously removed. Photo / Supplied

Whangarei Girls' High School's great expectations fell flat after the mysterious disappearance of three billboards.

Amid dozens of council and mayoral candidates' billboards, Girls' High students put up the signs to promote the school production of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

Two days after signs were put up by students on Riverside Drive and Maunu Rd they were snatched from their spot on prepaid council sites last week.

William Walker, teacher and director of the production, said he was perplexed by the development.

A third sign on Hatea Drive had been taken down on Sunday.

The signs cost the school over $1000, and this is a big blow to the production team.

"It's hardly likely to be producers of other shows as theatre people are generally supportive of each other. It doesn't look like the work of vandals as the stands are intact. Nor does it look like the elements are responsible as there is no sign of the billboards nearby," Mr Walker said.

The school checked with Whangarei District Council and Environmental Northland and went to the police after nothing had turned up. "It's strange that our billboards should be targeted whilst surrounding billboards for the various council and mayoral candidates are left alone."