Damaged election signs were an unwelcome birthday present for Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell as billboards across the Bay of Plenty were hit by vandals.

Signs for different electoral candidates and parties were torn apart, defaced and graffitied.

Uffindell said he was aware of sign damage in Greerton, Pāpāmoa, Matua and Bellevue – where he spoke to the Bay of Plenty Times as he repaired signs with volunteers yesterday.

“It’s very frustrating.”

He said he would report the incidents to police.

“They [the offenders] might not like our political party or other political parties, but at the end of the day, this is a democracy, and people have a right to put forward their case.”

Uffindell said he was concerned about swear words on some signs.

“There are young kids who are driven around and walk around town every day, and they’re having to see this and be exposed to it. I think it’s pretty disgusting.”

Instead of celebrating his birthday, Uffindell spent the day helping volunteers repair damaged signs around the city.

“It’s not about me,” he said.

“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our incredible volunteers.

“So if they’re out here doing the hard work, then there’s only one place for me to be and that’s out there with them.”

Once the repairs were finished, Uffindell planned to celebrate his birthday with a family dinner.

Tauranga MP and National Party candidate Sam Uffindell repaired election signs on his birthday. Photo / Sam Uffindell

Bay of Plenty MP and Mt Maunganui candidate Tom Rutherford’s signs were also damaged.

He said signs were constructed by “a team of hardworking, local volunteers”.

“For their work to be torn to shreds like that is difficult to comprehend.”

He said the signs were part of democracy.

“We understand there is always going to be some vandalism, but when it’s targeted across the board at every different political party, that’s really upsetting.

“The signs are our way as candidates to advertise ourselves and that there’s an election coming up.”

Rutherford said he would join volunteers fixing the signs.

“This is not 10 minutes’ worth of work. This is going to be a matter of hours and days’ worth of work, just for somebody’s stupid idea of a bit of fun.”

Rutherford said he had reported the incidents to police.

Damaged election signs in Pāpāmoa.

Labour List MP and Tauranga candidate Jan Tinetti said two of her signs had been damaged.

“I don’t get upset about it, but part of me thinks, if you’re that worked up about politics, the best thing you can do is get yourself enrolled and get out and vote because that’s what’s going to make the big difference.

“If you think your vote doesn’t count, think again, because every single vote is going to make a difference in this election.”

She said her signs had already been replaced thanks to party volunteers.

Tinetti said she saw another party’s signs in Matua with “terrible swear words” on them.

“There’s kids that walk past that, and I don’t think that’s okay.

“It doesn’t matter which party it is, we don’t like seeing vandalism of those signs because everybody has a democratic right to be able to have their say and stand in an election.”

Bijou Johnson is a multimedia journalist based in Bay of Plenty. A passionate writer and reader, she grew up in Tauranga and developed a love for journalism while exploring various disciplines at university. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Massey University.