Council Policy on Election Hoardings

Election signs are provided for as temporary signs under the District Plan. Election signs permitted adjacent to state highways and road reserves can be erected up to 6 weeks before election day (i.e. from Saturday 30 August 2025) but must be removed the day before election day (i.e. by 12 midnight Friday 10 October 2025).

Signs may be erected as of right when the following standards are complied with:

a. Signs do not imitate approved official signs (e.g.: stop signs etc…);

b. Signs are not reflectorised;

c. Signs are not internally or externally illuminated;

d. The written consent of the Road Controlling Authority is obtained if signs are to be located on road reserve (NZTA for State Highways or Ōtorohanga District Council for other roads);

e. The written consent of the landowner (of the land where signs are to be erected) to be provided

f. Signs are not located on known archaeological sites;

g. Signs are sign written to a professional standard;

h. Signs contain no more than 6 words, symbols or graphics and contain no more than 40 characters

i. Minimum size of sign letters complies with the following:

• 50kph – 100mm
• 60kph – 100mm
• 70kph – 120mm
• 80kph – 160mm
• 100kph – 160mm

j. Signs do not restrict visibility from vehicle entranceways. Visibility maintained in accordance with following:

• 50kph – 45m
• 60kph – 65m
• 70kph – 85m
• 80kph – 115m
• 100kph – 170m

k. Signs do not restrict visibility from road intersections. Visibility maintained in accordance with following:

• 50kph – 80m
• 60kph – 105m
• 70kph – 130m
• 80kph – 175m
• 100kph – 250m

l. Signs are able to be seen in advance by drivers in accordance with the following:

• 80kph – 180m
• 100kph – 180m

m. Signs are separated from other signs in accordance with the following:

• 50kph – No restriction
• 60kph – No restriction
• 70kph – 60m
• 80kph – 70m
• 100kph – 80m

If one or more of these standards cannot be complied with resource consent will be required before the sign can be erected.

Ōtorohanga District Council's Planning Manager should be contacted by candidates and provided with proposed layout signage plans and owners written consents prior to the erection of signs to ensure compliance with these standards.

Council will require the immediate removal of any sign that does not comply with the permitted activity rules outlined above. i.e. permission of land owner not obtained incorrect or excessive characters on sign.

NZTA has advised that they will not permit election signs on road reserve. If signs are erected they will be removed immediately by NZTA. Similarly any sign that is erected that does not comply with the standards (and a resource consent has not been
granted) will be removed. View Waka Kotahi (NZTA) website.