Miss Moonshine's owners said the signs had been up since June 2015 and Monday was the first time they'd received a complaint.

A popular restaurant on Auckland's Ponsonby Rd has drawn the ire of one diner and many more online over sexist language in its signage.

Miss Moonshine's restaurant has decorated its men's bathroom doors with lewd slogans drawn in chalk.

They include messages such as: "The pill is the second best thing a woman could put in her mouth to keep her from getting pregnant" and "Why did God give men penises? So they would have at least one way to shut women up".

PETER GOODMAN/SUPPLIED "The food is delicious, the staff are great. The owners have let them down here," diner Peter Goodman said.

Diner Peter Goodman said he complained to management on Monday but was told the owners wanted the signs kept up.



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Goodman said he first noticed them when his young son began reading the signs aloud.

PETER GOODMAN/SUPPLIED The slogans have been called "atrocious" and "degrading".

"Luckily it was one of the tamer ones. I was able to bustle him to the sinks before he started asking too many questions."

Goodman said he was offended by the misogynistic nature of the messages, especially at a family-friendly restaurant where children could see them.

He said it was the one downside of the visit. "The food is delicious, the staff are great. The owners have let them down here, I hope they remedy the situation responsibly.

PETER GOODMAN/SUPPLIED Peter Goodman said he couldn't believe what he was reading on the doors.

"My partner told me that the female bathroom had quotes from women like Marilyn Monroe ... Put some inspiring quotes from strong women in the men's room please. I feel it would send a better message."

Online, people were also critical of the slogans, describing them as "atrocious" and "degrading".

One Twitter user wrote, "that is right up there with Wicked Campers gross", while another said on Facebook: "I'm keen to know why you are perpetuating outdated attitudes to women in your men's room. It's not a joke".

A manager for the restaurant said he could not comment.

Owner Ryan Clarke said the signs were removed on Monday night as soon as they heard about the complaint.

He said the slogans were drawn when they opened in June 2015 and this was the first complaint they had ever received about them.

Agree this was in poor taste, was really never intended to upset anyone. Please accept our public apology... — Miss Moonshine's (@missmoonshines) March 28, 2016

It had come as a shock and surprise, he said.

"As soon as we understood we had upset people we rectified it. In retrospect we got it wrong. This doesn't represent us. We're not out to upset our customers."

Clarke said the signs were written by a "travelling student" who was no longer in the country.

"But I take responsibility for that. It's my business."

Please accept our public apology, we removed graffiti off doors as soon as we received a complaint will make sure it doesn't happen again.. — Miss Moonshine's (@missmoonshines) March 28, 2016

He said their Facebook page and Twitter page were taken down temporarily "to give us a chance to collect our thoughts and make sure it fully reflected our thoughts".

They were planning to issue a public apology through social media, he said.