A Turangi motel owner is refusing to back down over demands he change a sign that gives directions to the river and city centre.
The contentious sign at the Tongariro River motel. Photo: Supplied
The sign of Tongariro River motel owner Ross Baker says 'Welcome to Turangi' and 'Turn left to the Tongariro River and turn right to go to the town centre'.
Taupo District Council believes the sign is breaking a Transport Agency rule which prohibits advertising signs that look similar to official road signs.
Mr Baker told Morning Report it looked "nothing like" a road transport sign.
"Do you know of any road transport signs that have people holding trout, or rafts going through rapids?"
He said he felt persecuted by the council.
"It's beyond a joke."
Mr Baker said the council took down an older sign because it had an outdated logo on it, but when it wasn't replaced, Mr Baker went ahead and put up his own sign.
He said the council wanted the sign down because it said Turangi was the 'trout fishing capital of the world', while the council wanted that label to apply to Taupo.
"They've just over-stepped the mark completely."
He said he had tried to contact NZTA to talk about the signs, but had never heard from them about it.
The older sign at the motel. Photo: Supplied
