As local elections fever grips the nation, council candidates are jostling for your vote the best way they know how: by chucking up great big bloody signs on the side of the road. Here are The Spinoff’s top picks from around the motu.

Oh oh oh, Ohakune

(David “Rabbit” Nottage, Ruapehu District Council)

A colorful billboard features a man in bold sunglasses, a purple leopard-print suit, and tie. The sign reads: "New Zealand’s 3rd Sharpest Town! YEAH RIGHT!" and lists outdoor activities. Text urges people to “Vote ‘Rabbit’.”.

Here’s a man who knows his colour wheel, with the plummy purples of his tie and shiny (!) leopard print (!) shirt popping beautifully against the egg yolk yellow of whatever the hell that is behind him (choco eclair tank?). The hair styling would make Guy Fieri weep, the sunglasses are the stuff of legends, and I genuinely think I saw some gen Z avant-gardista wearing this entire get-up during fashion week. As for each and every word: all perfect. I can find no evidence of any kind of “New Zealand’s Sharpest Town” rankings anywhere in the world, nor can I figure out if the “yeah right” is suggesting Ohakune should be higher or should be lower. What is precisely where it should be is “Chocolate Eclairs” – right between Mountain Biking and Snow Fire & Ice. Find me a better trifecta of policies anywhere. / Alex Casey

Wise Guy

(Lisa Guy, Queenstown Lakes District Council)

A campaign sign for Lisa Guy in Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward reads, “Still the only GUY you need is LISA.” It features Lisa Guy’s portrait with mountains in the background and encourages voting for her.

Is Queenstown councillor Lisa Guy making a not-so-subtle comment about the lack of women standing in local elections with this sign? Perhaps. What really grabs me is the “Still”: I like how the font is a little askew. / Shanti Mathias

In an election in which all six of the mayoral candidates and 20 of the 27 councillor candidates are blokes (one of whom has the last name Cocks, just saying), in my humble opinion this is nothing short of 10/10-no-notes-give-her-the-key-to-the-city stuff. / Alice Neville

It’s always sunny in Dunedin

(Lachlan Akers, Dunedin City Council)

Two roadside campaign signs read "Vote Lachlan for a brighter future" and "Vote Lachlan for DCC," featuring cheerful sun illustrations and handwritten text, placed on grassy areas beside the road.

There’s nothing more heartwarming than a hand-painted election sign, and I can only applaud the brave visionary who had the arduous task of cutting out the tricky flame shapes on sign number two. Plus, does voting for Lachlan mean that Dunedin will actually get a summer this year? Now that’s a campaign winner. / Tara Ward 

Send in the clowns

(Pennywize the Re-wilding Clown, mayoralty, Wellington City Council)

A torn poster on a city lamppost shows a clown in front of houses, with partially visible text: "Vote for IT Pennywise" and some address details. Buildings, trees, and a wet street are in the background.

It was a very rainy Wellington day when I came across this poster and nearly fell to my knees on Kent Terrace. There’s something about how rugged and avant garde it looks that made me feel like Cameron in that one scene from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The partial tear, the fact it’s covering a poster for someone’s missing pet bird (which has been gone for months, I hope they’re OK) even though there was definitely enough room to put it somewhere else – there’s a lot for the average voter to think about. Who among us doesn’t have a beautiful bird hidden in their soul, wanting to re-wild Wellington? From a distance, I was terrified of the clown-like thing waving at me in the rain. Up close, I see the clown-like thing is a clown candidate and, in many ways, perhaps a kindred spirit: doing the best on a small budget with big dreams in a treacherous city. / Lyric Waiwiri-Smith

Good stuff, Karen

(Karen Coltman, South Wairarapa District Council)

A yellow campaign poster on a window reads: "Karen gets stuff done and she doesn’t stuff around. Vote: Karen Coltman on to SWDC Council." Other posters are partially visible around it.

Massive shoutout to my hometown of Featherston for always holding it down, keeping it real, and running it straight. Where do I even start with this beautiful hoarding, which is less of a hoarding and more of a laminated flyer attached to a shop window. Firstly, we have to talk about the mise en scène. Karen has chosen a powerful positioning on this noticeboard that sends a strong message before we’ve even read the words. This appears to be a woman who aligns herself with both humans AND nature, represented by the ghillie-suit-wearing person to her left. That said, the spot also suggests a reverence for creativity in her local community, bowing below a David Bowie tribute act out of respect for the arts. As for the slogan itself, it flirts with haiku in the beginning and end, but ultimately delivers something far beyond poetry. Karen gets stuff done / and she / doesn’t stuff around. Country road, take me home. / AC

Travelator pitch

(Ryan Pausina, Auckland Council mayoralty)

Two campaign signs read "Technology Plus + www.ryanformayor.co.nz." One shows a tube-like bridge with people inside labeled "2nd Bridge Crossing," the other shows a bridge over water. Grass and trees are in the background.

Each morning as I sit in traffic on Esmonde Road, waiting to get on the Harbour Bridge and make my way to Spinoff Towers, I ponder this striking couplet. What is Technology Plus +? Why does the URL have spaces between each word? Why does it say 2nd Bridge Crossing instead of 2nd Harbour Crossing? Why are the people on the travelator terrifying doppelgangers of each other? None of these nagging questions detract from the immense appeal of an underwater travelator: there’s a reason David Slack’s version nabbed a top spot in Hayden Donnell’s definitive harbour crossing ranking. / AN

Check him out

(Russell Lund, Dunedin City Council)

A campaign sign with a man's photo and text showing DCC rates rising 97.1% from 2025-34, DCC debt reaching $662 million by 2025 and $1.16 billion by 2034. Main message: "UNSUSTAINABLE!" Vote for action on rates and debt reduction.

Who doesn’t love a hoarding with an exclamation mark?! I don’t know what Lund’s first name is but it’s clear he’s really! Excited!! About!!! Rates & debt reduction!!!! This candidate has another hoarding by the motorway that simply says “Vote Lund. Get Stuff Done” and I can only applaud his no-frills, extremely practical message. Stuff? He’ll get it done!!!!! / TW 

There is too much going on here: too many words, too many numbers, too many checks on this bloke’s jacket, too much background building. She may have been talking about outfits rather than hoardings and also she may have been a Nazi, but Coco Chanel had the right idea: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” / AN

Payne-full punning

Calvin Payne (Selwyn District Council)

Election campaign sign for Calvin Payne, Independent candidate for Selwyn 2025. Features three photos of Calvin Payne, check marks, and slogans: “Know Payne - Know Gain,” “Open,” “Considerate,” and “Objective.” Contact details included.

While your mind may want to dwell on the exquisite “Know Payne – Know Gain” pun happening here, I’d also love to acknowledge @ LARGE COUNCILLOR? for its services to weirdness. Is he saying @ him on the internet? Or is he saying he’s not a small councillor? Or is he a councillor-at-large and, if so, what the hell is that? Is he somehow on the run? Is that why there’s the question mark at the end? The riddler of our times? / AC

I am a huge fan of wordplay on election hoardings and agree with Alex in her acknowledgement of the exquisiteness of this pun. I also like the non-presumptiveness of the question mark – it’s giving “Hey, maybe you’d like to vote for me? All good if not though!” Points also for the photos proving he can go from boardroom to bush. Know Payne, know gain indeed. / AN

Specs appeal

(Andrew Little, mayoralty, Wellington City Council)

A campaign poster featuring a man in sunglasses and a beige jacket. The text reads: "Serious Leadership, Real Change. Andrew Little for Mayor." The background shows an outdoor scene with blue sky.

Wellington’s future is so bright that Andrew Little needs sunglasses to see it. Although those shades do remind me of that time Mr Little posted a thirst trap on his Twitter/X page. Get you a mayor who can do it all, I guess. / LWS  

We shouldn’t have been left to come up with our own wordplay here: a shades-wearing campaign photo demands a shades-focused punny slogan plastered across it. Do better, Mr Little. I do, however, approve of the subtle background blur: Karl Tiefanbacher could learn a thing or two. / AN

Flying the flag

(Green Party candidates, Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council)

Two signs feature green cartoon frogs: one with text reading "HOMES FOR ALL," and the other wearing a red cowboy hat labeled "PROUD" with a rainbow flag and heart. Political campaign sign visible on the left.

Dunedin is clearly the art centre of Aotearoa, given the large number of hand-painted election hoardings adorning the city. These two signs are endearingly child-like in their simplicity, but also, kind of weird. Does this mean that frogs are people too? How does the snail even hold the pen to make its STV rankings? Who cares, I really like the frog’s hat. / TW 

You have to get pretty damn close to these hoardings to see that they’re promoting Greens candidates, so assessed on vote-winning potential, they are failures. As heartwarming pieces of public art, however, they get my vote. / AN

Simply the vest

(Josephine Bartley, Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Ward, Auckland City Council)

A red campaign sign features Josephine Bartley, a Labour candidate for Maungakiekie-Tamaki ward, holding a small dog named Milo. Both are looking at the camera, and the sign includes the Labour Party logo.

I am choosing to believe, thanks to the charming rustic typography of “& Milo”, that this dapper pooch added his own name at the last minute. And why wouldn’t he? Boasting an eye-catching hibiscus harness offset by a beautiful baby pink vest, this is a dog who is going to show up for his constituents in a hugely fabulous way. / AC

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

(Alex King, Otago Regional Council)

A campaign sign shows a cartoon of a caped person flying among birds, with the name "ALEX KING" in large letters and the text "Vote #1 for ORC" below. The sign is outdoors, surrounded by bushes.

Another heartwarming hand-drawn Dunedin election hoarding. I like that after the elections are over, this poster is so charming that you could frame it and hang it up in your living room next to a couple of potted plants and some soft lighting that gently illuminates the wings of the kererū on a cold winter’s night. / TW

In the frame

(Patrick Reynolds, Waitematā and Gulf Ward, Auckland Council)

When I saw a single Vote Reynolds poster I wasn’t sold – the colour wash was weird, the lack of a first name was disconcerting, the hat was too… I dunno, hatty. But this Warhol-esque quadtriptych changes the game. Powerful. Arty. A statement. / AN

I’m torn on these ones. On the one hand I appreciate seeing actual effort in posters. On the other, it’s very Obama 2008 except in 2008 everyone knew Obama’s first name. This guy better hope he’s the only Reynolds on the ballot. / Madeleine Chapman

Two sides of the same Jules

(Jules Radich, Dunedin City Council mayoralty)

Three election campaign signs for Jules Radich, running for mayor. The photos show the signs from the front and side angles, featuring his portrait, campaign slogan, and the number 1. Trees and grass are in the background.

Jules Radich wants your #1 ranking on the ballot, and his election hoarding near the South Dunedin motorway underpass tells two different versions of one man’s journey to the mayoral robes.  On one side, Radich wears a suit and tie (Formal Jules), while on the other, he cuts a more relaxed vibe in a blue open-necked shirt (Casual Jules). Whatever your vibe, Jules Radich has you covered. Who says politics is boring? / TW

Hey diddle diddle, the dog and the Kiddle

(Nik Kiddle, mayoralty, Queenstown Lakes District Council)

A campaign billboard features a man with a bandage on his forehead holding a black and brown dog. The sign reads, “Fresh leadership for better results. Tick Nik for Mayor. nikkiddle.com.”.

It’s always positive to see a candidate embrace rhymes. Nik Kiddle also embraces his dog Neo – when in doubt, appeal to the pet lovers. The overall effect is warm and fresh, an excellent harmony of his sign design and slogan. / SM

Not even a spot of sticker-based vandalism can detract from the winning formula of denim plus dachshund. / AN

Glow up

(Alan Wang, Environment Canterbury)

A campaign sign on a metal fence reads “Alan WANG. Balance Productivity and Sustainability,” with a photo of a smiling man in a suit and tie. Lush greenery and a house are visible in the background.

Wang’s elegant serif typography is offset with a gentle yellow highlight around the letters. The photo of him is similarly glowing gently. He also clearly has a positive relationship with Capital Letters. / SM

Ride or die?

(Kathryn Davie and Paul Davie, Whau Local Board, Auckland Council)

A purple campaign sign for "Voice of the People" featuring photos of Kathryn Davie and Paul Davie. The sign lists campaign points and includes the slogan "Get onboard, enjoy the ride" with an image of them on a scooter.

Didn’t realise they rebooted the Bound 2 music video and frankly do not want to see much more of it, cheers. / AC

Unfortunately the photo quality doesn’t do this hoarding justice, but it appears the inset headshots are simply the faces of these two cropped from the motorbike pic. I will not be getting onboard and I certainly shall not be enjoying the ride until you get some more photos of yourselves, cheers. / AN

Smart and/or casual

(Alex Baker, mayoralty, Wellington City Council)

Here, Alex Baker is pictured appealing to the two types of Wellingtonians: the bureaucrats/public servants, and everyone else (not pictured in the white tee poster: a pair of Dr Martens on the feet). In another frame, he lets the streets of Wellington do the talking. A man of the people indeed. / LWS

Not everyone opts for a mayoral slogan because if you’re going to have a tagline, it better be good. “Keep moving forward” is only three words and one of those words is most associated with “Let’s Get Wellington Moving” in locals’ minds. When you Google Let’s Get Wellington Moving, one of the top results is the headline: “Let’s Get Wellington Moving was a giant waste of time”. An unfortunate word association for Mr Baker. I like the non-denominational colour choice though. / MC

Tag team

(Daniel Shand, mayoralty, Queenstown Lakes District Council)

A wooden sign displays a spray-painted smiley face next to two checkboxes, both marked with green checkmarks. It stands outdoors on grass, with parked cars and buildings in the background.

Daniel Shand, from Hāwea, has previously run in central government elections with the slogan “I don’t know anything about politics but I’ll give it a go”. He does actually know about politics, though, or at least alternatives to the current political system; this time round, his budget signs are part of how he is promoting direct democracy, where citizens can make decisions about the future collectively, rather than relying on representatives. He says it’s the least amount of money he’s ever spent on a campaign. / SM

In the wrong hands, a spray-painted hoarding could come across as unhinged. This, however, is cute. Look at that smile! A vote winner for sure. Also, a surefire way to stop your hoarding being vandalised is to make it look like it’s already been vandalised. I have just one question: if this man’s name is Daniel Shand, who is Manaia N, who appears on no QLDC candidate list I can find? / AN

Fortune favours the Baldock

(Gael Baldock, Waitematā Local Board, Auckland Council)

A campaign sign for Gael Baldock, Waitematā Local Board candidate, with her photo on the left. Her pledges are listed on a chalkboard background, and "Home is where my heart is" is written in red next to a heart symbol.

/ AN

Fangs for voting

(The Radical Action Faction’s Ruthven Allimrac and Jen Olsen, Dunedin City Council)

It’s a vampire. In a local body election. Does your city have its own vampire mayor? No? Sucks to be you. / TW

Kudos to whoever’s doing the Radical Action Faction’s design because these are exquisite. I’m particularly taken with the juxtaposition of the five exclamation marks with the decidedly nonchalant expression of this noble hound, who at first glance gives zero fucks. Look deep into his eyes, however, and he is pleading for you to VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! Would follow this dog anywhere, tbh. / AN

It’s been a huge election for greyhounds on hoardings, as Tom Roud in Ōtautahi can attest. / SM

Holden out for a hero

(Jamie Falloon, Masterton District Council)

Simple and effective, and the handwritten addendum is a classy touch. Did Falloon add it himself? Did a supporter? Did a rival who knows Falloon actually loves Fords and is trolling him? Is that ute on the left a Holden V8 or is it in fact a Ford? Maybe it’s a Hilux? Maybe ChatGPT is right and it’s a goddam Isuzu? Do the people of Masterton know? Please get in touch.

Screenshot of text explaining that a vehicle is unlikely to be a Holden V8, and is more likely an older utility model like a Holden Rodeo, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu, or similar, which usually have 4-cylinder or diesel engines.

Hat’ll do

(Flynn Nisvett, Dunedin City Council mayoralty)

[T.I. voice] “Jester hat / arms folded nice / we can wear sunnies all night / and baby you vote whenever you liiiiike.” Also love how he is walking the walk of “whatever you want” by just chucking this on a berm. Who needs sturdy old poles when you have silly old hats? / AC

Wong side of the fence

(Stuart Wong, Lambton/Pukehīnau Ward, Wellington City Council)

A campaign poster on a fence features a smiling man in glasses and a suit. The text reads: “DON’T GO WRONG… Vote STUART WONG! Lambton Ward / Pukehinau, 1.” The candidate’s website and party logo are also visible.

The golden rule of local election campaigning is that if you have a name that can be turned into a memorable pun, you must do it, like the “Know Payne” guy. And with that wide smile and the lovely yellow colouring of the hoarding shining like a lighthouse in the night, you might just think to yourself that if this is Wong, maybe you don’t want to be right. / LWS

Triple threat

(Ted Johnston, mayoralty, Auckland Council)

Campaign poster showing a bald man in a suit and red tie, smiling and gesturing with his hands. Text reads: “VOTE JOHNSTON BSc BA LLB for MAYOR. TRUST TED.” The poster is displayed outdoors on a sunny day.

It doesn’t have the slasher-movie appeal of Ted’s 2019 hoardings, but the gesture provides a similar, slightly threatening aura, and the postnominals are a nice touch – three degrees, I’d like to see his pool room. / AN (BA Hons, Grad Dip Journ)

First past the post?

(Tony Bennett, Dunedin City Council)

A poster on a beige pillar features an older man in glasses and a suit with the large text "WANTED for Council" above his photo. Another smaller poster with his photo is partially visible on the right.

My daughter sent me this murky image of an election poster stuck up in the Meridian Mall, and at first I thought the photo was of actor Geoffrey Rush. Then I discovered this candidate’s name was Tony Bennett, which made me wonder if Geoffrey Rush was playing the late American jazz singer Tony Bennett in a gripping but dystopian thriller about the dramatic journey of standing for Dunedin City Council. Wanted: the truth. / TW