Tui Breweries is cashing in on the Wellywood debate by comparing Wellington Airport's planned sign with its own version in Mangatainoka, in northern Wairarapa.
Wellington Airport is funding the 30m long, 8m tall sign which mimics the iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, the home of United States movie-making.
A Tuiwood sign was installed overlooking the Tui brewery six years ago and locals loved it. The Wellington sign was an unoriginal concept since Tui's sign had been the pride of locals for years, spokesman Nick Rogers said.
"I don't see any point of having one just like it down the road in Wellington. What's next from the unoriginal folk of Infratil - a shorter SkyTower than Auckland and two Pohutakawa trees on Mt Victoria?"
The company has erected a billboard in Wellington this week which reads: "Absolutely positively, we're all for WELLYWOOD. Yeah Right."
