Group of young window washers 'surround' woman's car and 'beg' for a sexual favour

A Whangarei District councillor has stepped in to defend the much-maligned window washers who have made the city's major intersections their workplace. Photo / Martin Sykes

A Whangarei District councillor has stepped in to defend the much-maligned window washers who have made the city's major intersections their workplace.

Anna Murphy, elected in October, said she and everyone she had spoken to personally had only had good experiences with the washers, finding them "polite, considerate, courteous and engaging".

But another woman said online that she had her car "surrounded" by a group of young men who "begged" her for a sexual favour.

The woman commented on a Northern Advocate Facebook post about the issue, saying that on December 11 the group of "13-16-year-olds" had accosted her at the Whau Valley lights.

Meanwhile a man has organised a petition against the window washers that has so far had almost 1600 signatures.

Ms Murphy said she had been following all the online comments.

"I'm genuinely sorry that one person was sexually harassed," she said.

The online debate was booming on both sides, with those against the washers saying they were a safety hazard, intimidated drivers, washed windows "without consent" and littered.

There were concerns earlier in the month that some washers were school-aged children who should have been in class.

An online petition demanding they be banned had 1590 signatures yesterday.

It was started by Whangarei's Matthew Judkins who was calling on local agencies to stop the washers.

"Not only are residents sick of this behaviour, but I hate to think what image this gives our city to tourists," the petition read.

"With summer fast approaching, tourist and traffic numbers will start to increase rapidly, this is increasing the chances of injury, or even death."

Ms Murphy said she temporarily posted her own petition in support of the washers, but deleted it after deciding she would rather talk to people in person about the issue.

"I think they are enterprising, hard-working and are out there actively doing something to earn some money," Ms Murphy said.

"It shows there is a demand for the service or they wouldn't earn anything and wouldn't bother."

She said issues like littering and children not being in school would not be solved by banning the window washers.

"Perhaps the most important part of this conversation is that people's awareness is raised about these issues, and how we can come together to do things better."

She said Whangarei was a "safe, friendly city".

Whangarei's State Highway intersections come under the jurisdiction of the NZ Transport Agency and window washing was not illegal, although NZTA was planning to install signs to discourage it.

The Whangarei District Council has a bylaw banning the practice on council roads.