Mystery of the missing signs solved

A set of signs criticising regional and local council policies, which were removed last weekend, were taken down by the landowner. Photo / File

The mystery of where a set of yellow signs on Ngongotaha Rd disappeared to has been solved - they were removed by the landowner.

On Tuesday the Rotorua Daily Post reported the signs had disappeared after being erected by the Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers group.

At the time, group secretary Reynold Macpherson, who is representing the group in the mayoral race next year, said their removal was a "violation against our rights" and they would put new signs up in the coming days.

The group has erected signs on private land around Rotorua to bring attention to regional and local council policies, but have been warned by the Rotorua Lakes Council that some of the signs could be in breach of the District Plan and property owners were sent letters advising them of their responsibilities under the plan.

Yesterday, chairman of the Waikuta No.2 Trust Alex Wilson said he had the signs on land next to Ngongotaha Rd, opposite Kauae Cemetery, removed as the group did not have permission from the trust to put them up in the first place.

"We left them there hoping someone would give me a call to discuss them. But I read about them making a big fuss and that the council could fine people for having them there, so I had them pulled down."

Mr Wilson said the Waikuta No.2 Trust would have considered leaving the signs there if they had been contacted earlier.

Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers group chairwoman and district councillor Glenys Searancke said she was not aware the land was owned by a trust, but added she did not have any say in the placement of the signs.

Dr Macpherson said the group had originally approached the people who managed and had use of the land to ask for their permission, which they received.

"We did not know the land was owned by the trust," he said.

"Since then I have called Alex [Wilson] and apologised, as it was the courteous thing to do.

"The mystery has been solved.

"We did go down there and put up some replacement signs but we are now having those taken down as well."