Signage

Signs are important for sharing information and promoting business, events, community groups and the district. However, if not managed effectively, signs can have negative impacts on public safety, amenity and the character of an area.

The council has a number of different tools available for managing signs. These include its regulatory powers under the Whanganui District Plan and bylaws as well as its landowner powers.

The council's Signage Policy 2018(PDF, 2MB) reflects a shift in how the council manages signs in public places towards greater use of its landowner powers. In addition, this policy seeks to provide greater public certainty about how the council will exercise its landowner powers and the council's expectations of those erecting signs.

The objectives of the policy are:

• To ensure that advertising signs within any public place are displayed, erected, fixed, placed, located and maintained in a way that does not present a hazard or danger to public safety
• To maintain aesthetic standards and preserve visual amenity values in the district.
• To recognise the need for information signage and the need to advertise businesses, promote commerce, activities and events in the district.
• To provide greater certainty to businesses, organisations, members of the public and for the consistent administration of the standards for signs within public places.

More information is available in the Signage Policy 2018.

Temporary signage

Temporary Sign means any sign temporarily displayed for the purpose of advertising messages including those promoting upcoming community events, attractions within the district, public health or safety messages, or government messages.

Whanganui District Council maintains a number of community signage locations with pre-existing structures designed to accommodate temporary signs:

• Dublin Street / Cornmarket Reserve
• London Street roundabout
• Anzac Parade – opposite Hakeke Street
• Anzac Parade – opposite Georgetti Road

You need to obtain a permit to erect a sign at any of these locations.

Apply to erect a temporary sign

Election signage

Download an application form(PDF, 2MB)

The next General Election will be held on Saturday 7 November 2026.

An election sign is any sign that encourages people to vote for a candidate or party in an election. All election signs must comply with the Whanganui Signage Policy and the Whanganui District Plan.

Election signs must:

• clearly display the name of the person authorising the sign;
• not exceed 2.4 metres in height;
• not exceed a display area of 3 square metres

There are also rules for the writing on your sign:

• the letters must be more than 120 mm in height if the sign is on any road, or in a place visible from a road, that has a speed limit of less than 70 km per hour
• if the sign is on a road, or in a place visible from a road, that has a speed limit of 70 km per hour or more, the letters must be 160 mm in height

Election signs can't be a distraction to drivers – if a sign is on a road or in a place visible from a road, it cannot have any reflective material, lighting, or moving parts. It also cannot look like a traffic sign.

If you want to put your sign on private property, make sure you have the permission of the property owner. Signs on private property can be displayed at any time, but must not protrude over any public place.

Election signs are not permitted on council-managed land, except at six dedicated sites set aside for election signage. One sign per candidate is allowed at each site. To apply for a sign at one of the dedicated sites, complete the application for a temporary election sign form and pay the $50 permit fee.

Signs can go up at the dedicated council sites from Saturday 5 September 2026. All election signs must come down from all sites by Friday 6 November 2026, the night before Election Day.

If your sign is on a trailer, there are some slightly different rules. It can't overhang the base of your trailer. Your trailer needs to be legally parked, and at least 40 metres away from any intersection.

If you have any further questions about election signage, contact Democracy Services Manager / Deputy Electoral Officer Anna Palamountain, Operations Manager – Regulatory & Compliance Jason Shailer, or email democracy@whanganui.govt.nz