Whangarei window washers aren't going anywhere

Window washers are likely to still be at our intersections in 2018, writes Craig Cooper.

It was the summer of the window washers.

And expect them to be around in summer 2018 as well.

Thousands of tourists have endured them, as have thousands of locals who drive past them twice on a week day.

Up to 12 at a time have occupied the State Highway 1 and Kamo Rd intersection for five solid months.

As well, they've ventured into carparks and continued to pop up on their original patch, the intersection of SH1 and Rewa Rewa Rd.

They've even waved their squeegees at motorists driving down Bank St, in Whangarei.

Along the way they have been praised for their enterprise, an enterprise which includes intimidation and targeting of women, who are viewed as a soft touch when it comes to handing over money.

These days, the washers don't even ask. From a few feet away, they squirt water on a vehicle driven by a female and lean in and wash away, and stand around expectantly.

And as we report today, when a woman decides she doesn't want her car touched, it gets nasty.

Yes, it's a wonderful little enterprise that at times seems too organised - older males directing the younger ones, and arguments on traffic islands about turf.

It hasn't been without its comical moments - heavy rain wasn't enough to deter a few hardy washers last weekend who stood soaked in the rain, holding their squeegees aloft toward oncoming traffic, who all had their window wipers on.

The biggest laugh though has been our inability to do anything about them.

They stand on SH1 which is the responsibility of the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).

NZTA and the Whangarei District Council have been discussing how to implement a bylaw to cover the washers, because the WDC bylaws don't apply.

They don't even need a hawkers licence, which suggests buskers or Poppy Appeal collectors could also occupy our traffic islands at this intersection.

That would make a nice change from women being bullied into handing over money.

Because in any other scenario, isn't that robbery, and at the very least, socially unacceptable?

And yet, we've done nothing about it. Instead, we've sanctioned bullying and the targeting of women.