Tasman District Council Fights Back Against Vandalism of Bilingual Signs

The Tasman District Council has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting te reo Māori, the official language of New Zealand, in the face of repeated vandalism targeting bilingual signs that welcome visitors to the region. The council’s efforts come as a response to racist attacks on the signs, which have resulted in significant costs for taxpayers.

The Vandalism Issue

Over the past year, “racists” have targeted the Tasman District Council’s bilingual ‘Welcome to Tasman’ signs by removing te reo Māori sections and, in some cases, replacing them with offensive graffiti. The council described this behavior as “mindless narrow-minded” and a waste of ratepayer money.

Chris Choat, communications manager for the Tasman District Council, stated that between 12 and 15 incidents of vandalism have occurred since last year. The signs, which are part of the council’s efforts to promote te reo Māori, have been vandalized to the point where it is clear that the language section is the main target.

The Financial Burden

The cost of repairing the damaged signs has added up quickly for the council. While the financial burden may seem minor, Choat emphasized that it takes time and personnel away from more important projects.

“We have to spend ratepayer money each time we have to send out our contractor to fix these signs,” Choat said. “It’s not a big number, but it’s the ongoing nature of this that diverts time, money, and personnel away from other projects that we could be doing.”

The Council’s Response

The Tasman District Council has taken steps to protect its bilingual signs, including increasing security measures. However, Choat acknowledged that practicalities limit the ability to prevent vandalism entirely.

“Yes, we do things to protect the signs, and we’ve taken some measures, but we are realistic about the ongoing cost of this and the practicalities of defending those signs at all costs,” he said.

The council has called for greater respect towards te reo Māori and condemned racism in the region. “No-one is losing or giving up anything through the use of te reo Māori. In fact, we are gaining something,” the council stated.

A Message to Vandalizers

Choat advised those responsible for the vandalism to consider the broader impact of their actions. “Of course, you can express your opinions in a variety of ways that don’t cost ratepayers money. If you do feel strongly, use those channels, not ones that put another zero on the ratepayer’s account.”

In conclusion, the Tasman District Council is committed to promoting te reo Māori and will continue to take steps to protect its bilingual signs from vandalism. The council urges greater respect towards this official language and condemns racism in any form.

“We respect the Māori worldview, language, and culture. Do/be better, guys,” the council stated.

By working together, we can promote a more inclusive and respectful community for everyone.