Kaipara election hoardings vandalised amid rising abuse of local politicians

The hoardings, outside Dargaville, have been spray-painted with swastikas, a racial slur and the words "white power".

Northland council candidates have had some of their roadside signs graffitied with racial slurs and swastikas.

Three hoardings on State Highway 12 near Duck Creek in Dargaville, belonging to Kaipara District Council candidates Gordon Walker, Gordon Lambeth and mayoral hopeful Jonathan Larsen, were spray-painted with swastikas, the words “white power”, and a racial slur.

Walker, who is contesting one of the three Wairoa General Ward seats, said he believed the vandalism was a bout of tomfoolery, but added that he felt a lot of people were angry and frustrated with Kaipara District Council.

Gordon Walker called the vandalism "tomfoolery" but wondered whether it was the result of ratepayers being angry at the council.

He accused the council of alienating ratepayers, particularly Māori, with actions such as its decision to scrap the Māori ward.

Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson rejected the claim, saying he promoted equal opportunities and “equal fair treatment”.

Jepson, who announced in June that he would not seek re-election as mayor, believed voting would show people were not angry.

Larsen, the current deputy mayor, was unfazed by the graffiti, which he thought showed the character of society’s “activist elements”.

People were increasingly engaged and passionate about their political positions, he said.

A racial slur was spray-painted on the hoarding of mayoralty hopeful Jonathan Larsen and Wairoa General Ward candidate Gordon Lambeth.

Lambeth, who is seeking re-election in the Wairoa General Ward, also said he was not troubled by the vandalism.

He claimed to have experienced racial attacks during his time as a police officer.

“I’m just going to carry on what I’ve always done, and that’s middle-of-the-road, sensible politics.”

Gordon Lambeth's hoarding was among several targeted.

Jepson said defaced hoardings were not unusual. Someone wrote “pig” on one of his roadside signs recently and, in an earlier election, someone had even put a pig’s head on one of his hoardings.

“I actually thought it was hilarious, because it just comes with the territory. You’ve got to have thick skin to be a politician.”

Kaipara is not the only district affected by election vandalism. Whangārei Bream Bay Ward candidate Matthew Yovich’s sign was shot, leaving several bullet holes through his image.

A used shotgun cartridge was found by the sign.

Reported threats and damage compelled Whangārei District Council to email candidates on September 10, urging them to prioritise their safety.

Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo said the number of threats made was at a level he had not seen in a long time.

Elsewhere in New Zealand, an unnamed Ruapehu District Council candidate reported abandoning their campaign because of intimidation.

Council chief executive Clive Manley told Local Democracy Reporting that some candidates had been threatened, confronted in public and had campaign billboards damaged or removed.

Local Government New Zealand interim chief executive Scott Necklen encouraged voters to focus on the issues and not the person.

“Democracy is built around healthy debate and having different voices heard, but that doesn’t give people the right to abuse, harass or intimidate others.”

He said abuse and harassment of elected members was an ongoing issue driven in recent years, particularly online, by rates rises, Māori wards, and infrastructure concerns.

“It’s just not acceptable to target candidates who have put themselves forward to serve their community in public office.”

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.