Man wearing Make Ardern Go Away T-shirt defaces Tauranga charity's COVID-19 vaccination sign

  • 20/06/2022
CCTV allegedly shows the man spray painting the banner.
CCTV allegedly shows the man spray painting the banner. Photo credit: Te Tuinga Whānau

A man wearing a 'Make Ardern Go Away' (MAGA) T-shirt has been caught on camera allegedly defacing a pro-vaccination banner at a Tauranga charity.

The incident happened at 'The Happy Puku' last week, with CCTV footage showing the man spray painting the banner - owned by Te Tuinga Whānau Support Services Trust.

On the banner, which originally read "one love, three shots - boost it, bro" - the man has allegedly crossed out "one love" and written "no clot". A skull was also drawn.

A police spokeswoman told Newshub a report was received about the wilful damage at the property on Cameron Rd - believed to have happened on Tuesday afternoon.

Tommy 'Kapai' Wilson, from Te Tuinga Whānau, said the banner was made to keep whānau safe.

"What hurts about this situation is that someone has tried to attack a group like ours," he told SunLive.

"It's unacceptable."

Wilson told SunLive he wanted the man to be held to account and he'd given the CCTV images to the police.