Otago Regional Council Molyneux Constituency candidate Kate Wilson placed her campaign hoarding over a sign pointing to the Beaumont Hotel, a move that has riled hotel owner Alison Mills.
"I couldn’t believe it.
Cr Wilson said she had sought approval for her sign from the landowner.
"I’m sorry if it’s caused any controversy. I didn’t think it would.
"The landowner there said I could go and do it, so I can only do what I’m told to do.
"They offered to do it themselves, but I said no to that."
Ms Mills said she was not informed by the landowner about the plans.
"That’s a disregard to small business New Zealand as far as I’m concerned."
As far as Ms Mills was concerned, her sign should not have been obscured — even if, as Cr Wilson said, all attempts were made to not obscure main information.
"It’s my sign. My Beaumont Hotel.
"I don’t know why you would want to place your sign over it."
Ms Mills has since taken down Cr Wilson’s sign, but Cr Wilson said she was not sure what to do next.
Putting up signs advertising her candidacy was a fraught process anyway, she said.
"I haven’t got all my signs out, partly because I’ve just been too busy.
Cr Wilson said Lawrence was usually a "great" place for signs, but for other places, such as Balclutha, she had to constantly deal with people knocking them down.
"I just get sick of the damage.
"It’s really hard in a huge area like Molyneux or Dunstan to try to get your name out there.
"I don’t know what the most effective way is. I would like to think that it’s from the work you do for three years, but that’s not great for new people going out."
