Copycat billboards artful Act to get message across

Act has given its own take on National's campaign billboards. Picture / Martin Sykes

Are political billboards all starting to look the same? So it would seem after Act decided to mimic National's billboards.

Act's new billboards build on National's concept of a photograph of Prime Minister Helen Clark on a red background and National leader Don Brash to her right on a blue background with wording to emphasise the differences between the parties.

Act has adapted it by adding a photograph of leader Rodney Hide and the words "Tax" above Helen Clark, "Cuts" above Dr Brash and "Now" above Mr Hide.

A second has "Spin" above Helen Clark, "Talk" above Dr Brash and "Act" above Mr Hide.

But far from being annoyed at the blatant copying, the National Party says it is flattered.

Campaign manager Steven Joyce said Act was welcome to do anything that extended National's campaign. "It draws attention to our campaign and that is all good."

Mr Hide said the billboards emphasised that Act was needed to keep National honest.

Act is also running a competition on Mr Hide's blogsite for people to create their own Act billboards - the best one will be put up. It can be accessed at http://rodneyhide.com/Diary/ (see link below)