Protesters target C&R hoardings

Citizens & Ratepayers candidates survey the damage. Photo / Richard Robinson

More than 40 Citizens & Ratepayers election hoardings have been defaced in the past four weeks, with 10 found on Tuesday alone.

Paul Goldsmith, a C&R candidate for Albert-Eden-Roskill ward, said the 10 discovered this week were at six sites, and the figure "doesn't include ones we can take a solvent to and wash".

Gwen Shaw of City Vision said fewer than five of their billboards had been replaced in the two wards they are contesting, one of which is Albert-Eden-Roskill.

Mr Goldsmith said he felt the damage was "not just a random thing".

"There is an element of organisation about it which we find disturbing."

Information he received from an Official Information Act request revealed that a group apprehended by police at the end of last month, defacing billboards in Pt Chevalier, were targeting C&R hoardings.

Mr Goldsmith said he did not want to "drag the matter out".

A police report reveals that those responsible were 26-year-old Pia McKay, a tutor at the University of Auckland, and 20-year-old Claire Stanton, a student at the university. A 16-year-old from Grey Lynn was also involved.

The police report said McKay accepted she had committed an act of intentional damage but said it was a political protest.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said a police patrol saw the three paint the boards.

They were issued with a warning for wilful damage, and made to clean the defaced hoardings.

Mr Goldsmith said an election hoarding cost about $80 and it was sad to see repair bills depleting campaign funds.