Wellington airport denies National party advertisements

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Wellington, New Zealand airport has denied supporters of New Zealand's National party to use its land for its newest billboard advertising. The advertisement was denied for being too politically sensitive.

Bill English, National member, said: "Vicious attacks on critics by Helen Clark and her Labour-led Government have led to Wellington Airport turning down a National Party billboard as it was too politically sensitive."

However the sign has been put up in Auckland, State Highway 20 and on Christchurch's Main North Road.

"The billboards are being paid for from party funds and highlight the scandals and controversies that have surrounded Helen Clark during her time as Prime Minister. The airport company has every right to decide who advertises on airport property, but last year Wellington Airport accepted billboards critical of the Government," English said.

The billboard states on it: "painter-gate, corn-gate, doone-gate, speed-gate, pledge-gate and (next to an arrow) departure gate," all these words were accompanied by a picture of Helen Clark, PM, which slowly decreased in size. And then, at the bottom next to the National logo, it said: "Proudly paid for by supporters of the National Party - with their own money."

Wellington Airport will not comment on why they declined the billboard on its property. Louise Murray, a spokesman for the airport, said: "The airport reserves the right to decline any advertising." Murray made no comment on how the decisions are made or why this particular billboard was rejected.

"However, Wellington Airport, like everyone else, saw Helen Clark's assault on the Auditor-General

and Labour's plans to legislate to stop people who don't belong to political parties criticizing the Government next election. These actions have created a climate of fear and more so for a company doing business with Government-owned Air New Zealand," English said.

Sources

Wikinews

This article features first-hand journalism by Wikinews members. See the collaboration page for more details.

Wikinews

This article features first-hand journalism by Wikinews members. See the collaboration page for more details.

New Zealand National Party. "Climate of fear causes airport to ban billboard" — Scoop, November 1, 2006
"Billboard too hot a potato for airport" — Newstalk ZB, November 1, 2006

Share this:

This page is archived, and is no longer publicly editable.

Articles presented on Wikinews reflect the specific time at which they were written and published, and do not attempt to encompass events or knowledge which occur or become known after their publication.

Got a correction? Add the template {{editprotected}} to the talk page along with your corrections, and it will be brought to the attention of the administrators.

Please note that due to our archival policy, we will not alter or update the content of articles that are archived, but will only accept requests to make grammatical and formatting corrections.

Note that some listed sources or external links may no longer be available online due to age.

This page is archived, and is no longer publicly editable.

Articles presented on Wikinews reflect the specific time at which they were written and published, and do not attempt to encompass events or knowledge which occur or become known after their publication.

Got a correction? Add the template {{editprotected}} to the talk page along with your corrections, and it will be brought to the attention of the administrators.

Please note that due to our archival policy, we will not alter or update the content of articles that are archived, but will only accept requests to make grammatical and formatting corrections.

Note that some listed sources or external links may no longer be available online due to age.