Gurdeep Talwar has spent more than $2000 replacing campaign boards that have been vandalised. Photo: Supplied / Gurdeep Talwar
An Indian-origin licensing trust candidate in West Auckland has been forced to replace publicity hoardings for his campaign four times in two days due to vandalism.
Gurdeep Talwar, president of the Waitakere Ethnic Board who is contesting the Waitākere Licensing Trust's Lincoln Ward seat as an independent candidate, said total damage to the campaign boards at three locations in Massey had exceeded $2000.
Gurdeep Talwar is contesting the Waitākere Licensing Trust's Lincoln Ward seat as an independent candidate. Photo: Supplied / Gurdeep Talwar
Talwar has filed a complaint of wilful damage to billboards erected on Triangle Road, Keegan Drive and Don Buck Road with police.
"The vandalism started soon after we put up the billboards on Saturday ... as was allowed per election rules," Talwar said.
"By Monday morning - in under two days - we had to put them [up] again and again at these places more than four times.
"I have spent $2300 on the publicity material to date, which has all gone to waste.
"Since there is no damage to other candidates' billboards standing besides mine, I feel these are racially motivated attacks, as clearly I am being singled out.
"If I am not allowed to put up my publicity material [in] designated places, I don't know how am I supposed to fight the election, which is supposed to be free and fair for everyone."
Talwar contested the 2022 local government elections and experienced similar instances of vandalism.
"[But] not to this extent," he said. "This year seems particularly nasty."
Howick Ward candidate Paul Young displays damage to one of his campaign billboards in 2022. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
In 2022, local election candidates of Chinese descent in Auckland were shocked to see their faces erased with white paint or cut out of their campaign boards, while billboards featuring Pākehā candidates were spared.
In 2019, a Muslim candidate in the Porirua local body elections feared vandals who burned, knocked down and stole her billboards appeared to be singling her out.
Police confirmed a complaint of wilful damage had been made in relation to damage to Talwar's hoardings.
"Police are still in the early stages of assessing the complaint for further action," a police spokesperson said.
"Reports of wilful damage to billboards is not something new, and police will assess reports for any available lines of enquiry to hold offenders accountable."
Gurdeep Talwar has filed a complaint of wilful damage with police after his campaign boards were vandalised. Photo: Supplied / Gurdeep Talwar
Auckland Council advised candidates to report instances of vandalism to police.
"Vandalism of candidates' campaign material is unacceptable and disappointing to see and should be reported to the police," said Megan Tyler, director of policy, planning and governance at Auckland Council.
"The cost of campaigning is covered by each candidate and vandalism places an unfair burden on some candidates over others.
"Voting on the other hand is a far more productive and fair way of showing your preference - the best way for people to express their feelings about candidates is through the ballots."
Dale Ofsoske, electoral officer at Auckland Council, said little could be done to prevent vandalism.
"Vandalism of election signs is nothing new and, having run elections now for 40 years, it does happen every election," Ofsoske said.
"There is not a lot we can do about it unless election signs are under constant surveillance where any mischievous activity could be recorded.
"Once we or the council are aware of [damage to hoardings], we contact the candidate whose sign has been vandalised and ask [them] to fix the sign. Most vandalised signs are fixed within 24 hours," he said.
"I put down sign vandalism to the 'hurly burly' of an election campaign.
"The weather also plays a part with election signs, particularly where strong winds can damage or flatten a sign quite quickly."
