Virginia Fallon/Stuff
The district’s mayor says the vandalism is true to form of a “particular recidivist”. The move was opposed by then-councillor Tony Jack, and described as “PC gone mad” by then-councillor Peter Daniel. Following the decision to include the macrons, a resident lodged a complaint with the ombudsman, complaining the local body elections could be invalidated by the new spelling. The Kāpiti Coast District Council erected the welcome signs in 2011 at a cost of between $7000 and $10,000. After the signs were defaced in September, a council spokesman said there was no plan to erect security cameras. There were minor costs involved with removing the paint, and a sealant was added to the signs in 2019 to make them easier to clean.