Graffiti Bill great victory
Monday, 02 July 2007

MANUKAU is soon going to have the tools to clamp down on graffiti vandalism.

“It’s degrading entire communities and costing millions of dollars a year to combat,” says Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis.

The Manukau City Council’s (Control of Graffiti) Bill passed its second reading in Parliament last week.

The MPs voted 108 for, 10 against. It’s the first criminal law legislation to be promoted by a territorial authority and introduces instant fines, limits the sale of spray paint cans to minors and gives police the right to question and arrest taggers.

The bill now goes before the whole House clause by clause, then there’ll be a third reading, which could be as early as next month.

“This is a great victory for residents across the city who’ve been clamouring for stronger action. I’m confident the bill will pass through the next stages and become law,” says Sir Barry.

The local bill originated from the council as a way of introducing stronger measures to control tagging and graffiti vandalism, which it says degrades entire neighbourhoods.

The cost of removal is rising, with the council spending $1 million a year in paint-outs. However, it’s estimated the total cost of removal is $5m per annum, taking into account the cleanup of graffiti by individual residents and businesses.

“I shudder to think what it’s costing the country as a whole,” says Sir Barry.

“We’ve been tackling the graffiti crisis full-on, but had only limited success because we lacked the powers we needed under current legislation.

“The police can do little. Most taggers have easy access to spray-paint, and, if they were ever caught, the penalties are trivial. That’s now going to change.”

The bill goes beyond the existing laws relating to graffiti by: Regulating the display of spray paint in retail premises and its sale to minors.

It also intends creating the offences of marking of graffiti and carrying a graffiti implement in certain circumstances with fines up to $2500 upon conviction in court. It will also give the council power to remove graffiti on private property, if it’s visible from a public place.

Also included is the creation of instant fines up to $300 relating to the display and storage of spray paint in retail premises, and, the marking of graffiti, providing power for the police to require information and to arrest a person suspected of committing an offence.

Sir Barry says in recent weeks he’s had many messages of support from other mayors, councils and MPs.

“What we’ve done by taking a stand has clearly touched a nerve in other parts of New Zealand. The graffiti problem is nationwide and people are sick to death of it,” says Sir Barry.

“I’d like to thank all the MPs who voted for the bill. Our local MPs have also been fantastic in their support and showed great commitment in debate.

“I understand the government is considering national legislation to control graffiti. I certainly hope that does happen, but our bill, once passed, will be able to act as a model for that legislation.”