An election hoax hoarding board has been put up on Queens Drive, 'Ticks out for Harambe'.

Hoax election hoardings in Invercargill have been called illegal by the city's election officer - with the latest offender touting 'Ticks out for Harambe'.

Invercargill City Council election officer Graham Low said the signs were not in accordance with the district plan.

Low said he would be speaking to the council's planning staff in regards to the hoax hoardings.

ROBYN EDIE/FAIRFAX NZ Hoardings for candidates on a fence at the Bainfield Road/Queens Drive roundabout where someone has added a sign saying Vote Trump.

"I have seen the 'Vote Trump' one, but that's the only one I have seen."

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﻿The 'Vote Trump' sign appeared on Queens Dr at the end of August.

The 'Ticks out for Harambe' signs appeared to be placed overnight on Wednesday.

Harambe was a male silverback gorilla at a United States zoo. He was shot and killed when a child slipped into the exhibit, causing outrage.

Since the incident Harambe had become a global internet sensation.

The gorilla's marketing campaign appears to be off to a good start. The 'Ticks out for Harambe' signs dotted around Invercargill appeared more frequently than those of some city council candidates.

The culprit appears to have professionally designed and printed the Harambe signs.

Low said the signs would probably not distract from the real candidates' signs.

"As far as elections there's nothing wrong with it, but they are illegal signs according to the district plan.

"You can't put temporary signs up like that with out the resource consent."

Low said the signs were probably somebody having a bit of fun.

It could encourage voter turnout and let people know there was an election on, Low said.

However the council could be removing the signs.

"I will bring it to the attention of the planning people and they will go for a drive."

It's not the first instance of trouble making this election in Invercargill.

Mayoral candidates Karen Arnold and Tim Shadbolt have both had their hoardings go missing.

Last week, six of Shadbolt's large election signs were defaced by thieves while about 75 of Shadbolt's smaller election signs were stolen.

Low said since Shadbolt's complaint he had received no word from other candidates of their signs being stolen or defaced.

Voting papers for Local Body Elections are out and must be returned by polling day on October 8.

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