Sign thefts stump organiser

Tauranga Home Show organisers are keeping a close eye out for thieves who have recently taken a shine to promotional signs in the lead up to the annual event.

In the last fortnight, Home Show director Graeme Martin and his staff have been 'annoyingly” busy, replacing more than 65 promotional signs across the city – particularly in Otumoetai and Papamoa.


Home Show director Graeme Martin tries to keep hold of one of the Home Show promotional signs.

Heading into the event, held from May 8-10 at ASB Arena, Graeme usually erects 100 of the 900x600cm Corflute signs, but due to them disappearing on a 'regular basis” this number has risen to 170.

At $30 each it means Graeme is having to fork out an extra $2100 to keep the 80 various sites up-to-date with a sign.

'It's time, money and effort,” says Graeme, who believes someone might be 'collecting” the signs. 'The word to describe it is annoying.”

When the signs first began to go missing, Graeme suspected it was windy weather, but the sudden spike forced him into a rethink.

'The ones in and around the city centre are now on their third generation and it's proving a bit frustrating,” he admits.

Particular hotspots where the signs are being stolen or trashed are in Papamoa and Otumoetai, while the sign underneath the Chapel Street overbridge has been replaced four times.

'Quite often the Friday and Saturday nights are the highest risk, when some have a few beers,” he adds. 'We are having to find the signs and put them back up.

'We have got eyes and ears around the city relaying information back.”

This year's show sees more than 200 exhibitors showcasing the very best on offer in home building, renovating and buying, with more than $30,000 in prizes and live cooking demonstrations.

Thousands of people are expected at the show at ASB Arena, Baypark, from Friday to Sunday.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and children under 13 are free. On Friday only, visitors can purchase two tickets for $10.

'If anyone knows what's going on we'd love to find out,” says Graeme.

Any promotional signs found can be returned to SunMedia at No.1 The Strand, Tauranga.

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2 comments

Check with City Council Staff

Posted on 06-05-2015 09:14 | By Murray.Guy

Check with Tauranga City Council staff. They selectively interpret and apply bylaws and it may be they considers the signs a danger to pedestrians, low flying birds, a distraction to motorists and skateboarders.


Signs

Posted on 06-05-2015 13:22 | By DanielT

The signs placed on roundabouts are distracting.


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