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Labour not behind billboard vandalism - Goff

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Tue, 15 Nov 2011 8:55a.m.

A billboard in West Auckland, uploaded to Facebook by Labour candidate Carmel Sepuloni

A billboard in West Auckland, uploaded to Facebook by Labour candidate Carmel Sepuloni

Labour leader Phil Goff says his party had nothing to do with a late-night, co-ordinated attack on National party billboards.

Seven-hundred blue hoardings were defaced in just a few hours, but so far nobody’s claimed responsibility.

The vandals spray-painted messages about the plight of the poor, and the spoils of the wealthy.

Mr Goff says he had nothing to do with it.

"I have better things to do," says Mr Goff.

"I've noticed it in my electorate – all my personal billboards have been stolen. I don't know who's done it, I’m not making allegations.

"It's a real pity when people do that."

Mr Goff says it’s just a part of politics. He says every year he has several hoardings stolen from his electorate.

Right-wing blogger Cameron Slater has pointed the finger at the Green Party and/or Greenpeace, saying the stickers seemed to focus on the environment, "Greenpeace has a history of stickering", and "the Green Party has a network across NZ, needed for this kind of stunt".

"Especially of interest is that a number of the areas cited for vandalism in the press release are Green/hippie strongholds like Kapiti Coast, Nelson, Marlborough, Motueka, Golden Bay," says Mr Slater.

"That’s a disproportionate amount of effort in 'environmentally sensitive' areas."

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Comments

15 Nov 2011 07:41p.m.

key john wrote:

Isn't it nice to see the truth for once? National truth board for the people... a nice way of giving the truth to the public!

15 Nov 2011 02:14p.m.

Dodger wrote:

Why is it politicians are jumping high and low about their vandalized billboards, when millions of dollars are wasted cleaning up unsightly taggings, and replacing broken glass bus stops? If you ignore taggings and vandalized bus stops, politicians can't complained. About time stiffer penalties should be imposed on taggers and vandals. The Green Party should be championing action against taggers and vandals as these is wastage and bad for the environment.

15 Nov 2011 01:38p.m.

glenis wrote:

And....I thought the Greens were about transperancy, integrity and keeping the major parties honest.Disappointing,they will no longer be getting my vote.

15 Nov 2011 12:49p.m.

Kiwi wrote:

I am now so over the eye-sore political banners that I ignore them.Besides when stuck in peak hour traffic I am more concerned with keeping my eyes on the road rather than reading the political parties advertising.Still the "extra" bit of message on the National banners do have a point.In fact I think that extra message is quite clever and true of National's intended policies if they get voted in.

15 Nov 2011 12:07p.m.

Ricardo wrote:

Old news - the Greens have already admitted it and are cleaning them up.

15 Nov 2011 10:51a.m.

cherie wrote:

And this is how the left leaning behave. What fine examples for the children of this country.

15 Nov 2011 10:11a.m.

Alex wrote:

It's pretty hard to put these billboards up without them becoming vandalised

15 Nov 2011 09:43a.m.

Erik wrote:

i find it more disgusting that labour has put their signs right next to a graveyard just outside of temuka, very low standards from labour with no respect for the dead. As for the damaging signs it is well known in Timaru it is labour supporters doing it here.

15 Nov 2011 09:24a.m.

katrina wrote:

The billboards around here keep sprouting moustaches maybe for movember, regardless of which party they are.