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Wellywood protesters plan airport blockade from 6pm


Huge social media backlash threatens to spill over into a real-world protest that aims to disrupt operations.

NZPA and NBR staff
Mon, 23 May 2011

Wellington, once considered New Zealand's cultural capital of cool, faces a growing backlash over a proposed sign that many see as tacky or try-hard.

A group of protesters plan to "blockade" Wellington Airport tonight to show their opposition to the erection of a giant sign on a hillside near the airport.

Wellington International Airport is funding the 30m long, 8m tall Wellywood sign which mimics the iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles.

The airport's official Facebook page has been over-run with negative comments.

As of midday, more than 14,901 people liked the Facebook group "Wellingtonians Against the Wellywood Sign", while others voiced their disdain on Twitter and other websites.

Many users described the sign as tacky, a waste of money and a likely target for vandalism.

'Seriously disrupt'
The Facebook group "Driving Protest at Wellington Airport: NO WELLYWOOD SIGN!" plans to protest the sign by staging a "slow-moving vehicle blockade" around the airport's drop off area between 6pm and 7pm today.

So far 92 people say they are attending the protest, which plans to "seriously disrupt the airport's operations".

Meanwhile, another Facebook group was shutdown after members suggested blowing up and setting fire to the sign.

The airport would not comment last night on the vocal opposition to its plan, but a spokeswoman said they would reconsider the position next week.

Not everyone's cup of tea
Airport chief executive Steve Fitzgerald earlier said: "I expect widespread support for the intent of a sign, even if a Wellywood sign isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Everyone benefits from increasing tourism for Wellington."

Wellington needed to get onto "everyone's bucket list and a Wellywood sign is a clear message that Wellington is a must-see destination with a really important film industry", Mr Fitzgerald said.

"Being niche and understated is cool positioning for a local audience, but to be relevant on the world tourism trail, we need to shout about why we are great."

Resource consent granted
The structure has already received resource consent and was expected to be erected on an area of the Miramar hillside, owned by Wellington Airport, in June.

The company gave no indication of just how soon the sign will be hoisted up the hillside, its colour or how much it will cost.

Wellington Airport is majority owned by Infratil (which recently rebranded its Shell service stations as "Z"), with the balance of shares held by the council.

BELOW - Some satire:

NZPA and NBR staff
Mon, 23 May 2011
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Wellywood protesters plan airport blockade from 6pm
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