An Indian-origin candidate contesting the Waitākere Licensing Trust elections in West Auckland says repeated vandalism of his campaign hoardings is racially motivated after he was forced to replace them four times in just two days.
Gurdeep Talwar, president of the Waitakere Ethnic Board and an independent candidate for the Trust’s Lincoln Ward seat, told RNZ that the damage to boards at three Massey locations – Triangle Road, Keegan Drive and Don Buck Road – has cost him more than $2000.
“The vandalism started soon after we put up the billboards on Saturday, as was allowed per election rules,” Talwar told RNZ.
“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 publicity material to date, which has all gone to waste. Since there is no damage to other candidates’ billboards standing beside mine, I feel these are racially motivated attacks, as clearly I am being singled out.”
Talwar, who also contested the 2022 local government elections, said vandalism of his signs was not new but this year’s incidents “seem particularly nasty”. He has lodged a formal complaint of wilful damage with police.
A police spokesperson confirmed to RNZ regarding the complaint and said it was still being assessed:
“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.”
Auckland Council urged candidates to report all such cases to police. “Vandalism of candidates’ campaign material is unacceptable and disappointing,” said Megan Tyler, council’s director of policy, planning and governance.
“The cost of campaigning is covered by each candidate and vandalism places an unfair burden on some candidates over others. Voting is a far more productive and fair way of showing your preference.”
Electoral officer Dale Ofsoske acknowledged the problem but said little could be done to prevent it. “Vandalism of election signs is nothing new, and having run elections now for 40 years, it does happen every election,” he said.
“I put it down to the hurly-burly of an election campaign. The weather can also play a part, with strong winds damaging or flattening signs quite quickly.”
Talwar, however, insists that the pattern of targeted attacks on his boards raises deeper concerns about fairness and equality in the campaign process.
Local elections are being held in 2025 (9 September to 11 October 2025) to elect members of city, district and regional councils.
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