Here's some information on community initiatives and government programmes designed to help deter and remove graffiti vandalism in Franklin:

Stamping out Graffiti in Tuakau’s CBD

Graffiti and Vandalism is on the increase in Franklin’s communities. This needless type of behaviour is devaluing the beauty of our District. It is a problem that the Tuakau Business community has decided to address. A Graffiti Project is being undertaken in the Tuakau CBD between the Business Association and an organisation called Towns and Cities New Zealand who have set up the framework.

The primary objectives of this project are to remove graffiti from the CBD area daily and create a disincentive for people continuing to graffiti. The key elements of this project are: 

• gaining the support of local business people to ensure the town is graffiti-free as graffiti impacts negatively on local economies 
• appointing a person as the ‘key contact person’ and also appointing someone to regularly paint out graffiti
  

Not only will this project aim to deter graffiti but it will help instil the sense of pride into the community that graffiti can so easily spoil.

We will keep you updated with any further developments on this project.

The ‘STOP Strategy – a Strategy for Change 2008-2011’

The STOP Strategy was launched in September 2008 in Parliament. The highlight of this strategy is the restrictions for minors to access graffiti equipment, with the sale of spray cans to people under 18 being prohibited. Selling to minors can result in a fine of up to $1500 and not adequately restricting access to spray cans also comes with a fine of up to $1500.