Howick Local Board deputy chairperson Bo Burns is poking fun at one of her campaign signs having been defaced with an indecent image overnight.
Burns is standing for a seat on Auckland Council’s governing body in the Howick ward and for re-election to the Howick Local Board in this year’s local elections.
Yesterday, August 21, she discovered one of her political signs had been vandalised with a crude rendering of an obscene image.
Rather than letting it dampen her spirits, Burns chose to respond with humour, launching the tongue-in-cheek campaign line: “Don’t be a sideways cactus”.
“There’s no such thing as bad press,” she laughs.
“But while I’m happy to have a sense of humour, I don’t condone this behaviour.
“Campaign vandalism is costly financially and time-wise, and it doesn’t reflect the respectful community we’re all proud to be part of.”
Burns emphasises that while she’s taking the incident lightly, she’s also calling for the east Auckland community to help ensure a clean and fair election season.
“I really hope for a clean campaign with no further damage to my signs, or anyone else’s.
“I’m asking our community to please keep an eye out – not just for my signs, but for all candidates.
“Respect for the democratic process is important, and we all deserve a fair go.”
The lighthearted campaign hashtag #DontBeASidewaysCactus is already drawing attention on social media, reflecting Burns’ approach to politics: approachable, resilient, and community-focused.
- Disclosure: Bo Burns is the owner of the Eastern Times.
