A pop-up fence comprising of Kiwi's trusty summer footwear lining the entrance to Mauao has been given the flick after public complaints.
For the second year running Tauranga City Council staff have been forced to remove the rubber footwear attached with cable ties to the fence near the stone steps on the southern side of Mauao.
Tauranga City Council's Mauao park ranger Mark Ray with the 2014 edition of the jandal fence.
Over both years, sometime between Christmas and early January, the summer-inspired fence begins to take shape with worn jandals of all colours and sizes adorning the fence that thousands walk past.
In the past the public have been able to add to the fence with any unwanted jandals.
'I presume people saw it as an eye sore or else they wouldn't complain,” says Tauranga City Council's Mauao park ranger Mark Ray.
'We had some complaints at the camp ground and the main TCC office, and I had requests to take it down so I did.”
Mark suspects it might be the same person trying to produce a unique and creative idea as all the jandals were tied to the fence with the same red cable ties.
Both years Mark has taken the colourful fence down, collecting about 50 jandals or two bags full in the process.
Looking back on the fence, Mark admits he is fussed on whether it remained or had to go.
'I don't mind it if stayed up or came down,” he says, 'but obviously someone took a bit of offence to it and thought it looked a bit rubbish.
16 comments
Typical Tauranga
Posted on 13-01-2015 12:30 | By WSTAKL
It's impossible for people to have any fun in this city. The conservatism in this part of the country is embarrassing. Time to broaden your horizons people!
If it offends you ...
Posted on 13-01-2015 13:13 | By kurgan
... don't look at it.
A bit of fun
Posted on 13-01-2015 13:17 | By FunandGames
but then it must go. Not exactly a Picaso was it.
Jandals
Posted on 13-01-2015 13:18 | By DAD
Should have made the whinger get rid of them, I am sure the majority of people sore the good Humour
Harmless and amusing to many.
Posted on 13-01-2015 14:50 | By morepork
But someone complains so it has to go. DAD is absolutely right: Let the complainant have the job of dismantling it and disposing of the jandals properly. Any fool can moan, but they might think twice if it involves some physical effort. "Those without a sense of humour are at the mercy of the rest of us..."
The world has gone crazy
Posted on 13-01-2015 15:26 | By Gary & Judy
It's the old story of the squeaky wheel gets all the attention. Why does the TCC get feedback from the general public before it acts on a very few complainants. It is so easy to get rid of a complaint by doing what they demand, without checking with the majority of satisfied people. Many of the Mount people are from the NIMBY society.
Lost Soles
Posted on 13-01-2015 15:27 | By patricia1955
Excellent title for the jandal fence and also a good name for those whingers that wanted it down. Obviously have nothing better to do. As a permanent long term resident who walks the mount every day I liked watching it grow. It happens all over the world with jandals at beach resorts, hats, padlocks, hubcaps, tramping boots , but not Mt Maunganui. Would like to know who the moaners were locals or holidaymakers from the motorcamp. How many whingers does it take to get something like this taken away.
PC Brigade
Posted on 13-01-2015 15:44 | By chancer
on patrol again. Lighten up and live a little what a bunch of whingers ... let's have some fun.
NO FUN
Posted on 13-01-2015 17:57 | By whatsinaname
the NO FUN brigade are out again. common people of tga/mt have a sense of humour. what harm is it doing.
Toughen up TCC
Posted on 13-01-2015 20:04 | By Cinders
Are you serious - toughen up Council. I am sure the majority were in favour of a little fun. Pathetic wingers - GET A LIFE
Rubbish ...
Posted on 13-01-2015 22:28 | By Murray.Guy
Forced, what a load of rubbish! Tauranga City Council staff have been forced to remove the rubber footwear. Exactly how many complainants?
Even better
Posted on 13-01-2015 22:32 | By peterin102
What if it had an Aussie twist to it and it was called a 'Thong fence'. That could get a little confusing for us Kiwi's. There could be all sorts of things added and then the PC brigade would really have something to crow about!! I still think it's funny.
Loved it....
Posted on 14-01-2015 09:41 | By Colleen Spiro
but as one of my Maori friends pointed out Mauao is Tapu and felt that it was not appropriate.....just a different slant on it...
Must have been the same sad sacks complaining about BBQ smells on Pilot Bay
Posted on 14-01-2015 09:50 | By metallicite
.
Put the Jandals Back
Posted on 15-01-2015 13:24 | By Gary & Judy
Do you think like me that the TCC dislikes MM because it takes all the attention off "Tauranga". Who in their right mind would close down the MM Information Centre which has 1000s upon 1000s of tourists coming to MM and that does not include only the passengers off the cruise boats. Then they keep open the Tauranga Information Centre. For what reason, other than it is "Tauranga" and it is in the same building as the TCC
Lost Sole Fence
Posted on 29-01-2015 13:33 | By Tyraone
Hey you wingers why dont you go down to Bledisloe camp Little Waihi and view their "Lost Sole" fence which has been on display for years Residents and public adore same. In my opinion the "lost Sole fence" should remain as a permanent fixture as Bledisloe one has. I believe there is a wheelie bin full to go up and the fence is to be extended. Well worth a look folks!!!
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.