Martin Robinson said the ute is so beaten up when his neighbour backed into it they couldn't tell which dent they made. Photo / Facebook
Martin Robinson said the ute is so beaten up when his neighbour backed into it they couldn't tell which dent they made. Photo / Facebook
A shabby ute is being used to protest suburban snobbery just north of Wellington.
Local man Martin Robinson parked "the crappiest ute in Wellington" on Flotilla Place in the suburb of Whitby after seeing the anonymous note that complains scruffy cars could lower house prices in the neighbourhood.
Robinson told Fairfax his protest is a light-hearted way to make fun of people's snobbery and point out their lack of empathy.
"It's the growing divide between rich and poor. These people are sitting in a new suburb surrounded by low socioeconomic areas.
"They shouldn't even be worrying about what their neighbours are driving.
"I'm a big fan of people's rights so, if that person had a problem with a car, that's fine but it's also my right to park my ute there."
Martin Robinson said the ute is so beaten up when his neighbour backed into it they couldn't tell which dent they made. Photo / Facebook
The commotion started when Hannah O'Donnell found a note on Saturday saying two shabby cars in her driveway could lower house prices in the neighbourhood.
O'Donnell was one of two people in the street to receive the cheeky notes.
"Flotilla Place is a sought after residential location and all residents have a responsibility to uphold certain standards," the note read.
"It has been noted that a vehicle that falls well short of such standards is permanently parked at your address.
"There are properties being marketed in the streets currently and vehicles like yours could have a negative impact on the price your neighbours will be able to achieve for their properties.
"It is recommended that you consider a plan to replace your vehicle."
O'Donnell said she was more amused than offended, and posted a copy of the note on a Facebook page, asking for an explanation from the author.
Members of the Plimmerton Facebook community page have been making memes. Photo / Facebook
Robinson posted his intentions on the Plimmerton Facebook community page.
"I have the worst looking ute in the world, body rust from front to back, dents in every panel but warranted and regoed. Might go park it on Flotilla for a few weeks.
"I did it. I'll go pick it up next week.
"I only saw one for sale so I whacked it straight over the road from that one.
"I'll laugh my pants off if the ute ends up in the paper."
