No no no no
Words can’t describe how cringeworthy this plan is. It will make Wellington look cheap and tacky, and trying to be something we are not.
Yes Wellywood is fine as an occassional nickname, when referring to the wonderful growth of the film industry here. When we use it, we do so with pride for what has been accomplished.
But please please Wellington Airport, do not stick that sign up on our hills. It is tacky and awful. Mosgiel can do that as a joke, but not Wellington.
I’m not a big fan of civil disobedience which damages property, but if that monstrosity goes up, I’ll be half tempted to call for volunteers to pay it a visit at midnight. A few axes and problem solved.
If it said Wellington only, it would be a bit less tacky. But even then, it doesn’t work. Hollywood is Hollywood. Wellington doesn’t need to copy their sign. We have a great city, with so much going for it. A sign like that just makes us look like we have some sort of city penis envy.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
They could at least make it bigger than the Hollywood sign, rather than an eighth the size.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
yes yes yes
March 10th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
It will make Wellington look cheaper and tackier
There fixed it for you
March 10th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
no no no – even as a temporary inhabitant in the city (for 3 months) this looks weak and stupid. Other than that, must say I have enjoyed my time here – a lot to recommend it as a city, especially like being able to walk everywhere plus lots of hills ( I needed the training).
March 10th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Tackywood
March 10th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
At least the Mosgiel sign has a purpose – otherwise most people would drive by without knowing the town existed. And they use their actual name.
The sign in Wellington won’t attract anyone, or encourage them to come back, I really can’t see any useful purpose. It would be cringy enough anywhere, but to think that visitors to our capital, especially dignitaries and people on state visits will get to see it, that’s embarrassing for New Zealand. It is far more than a local joke, it would be a national eyesore.
I know Wellington likes to have various festivals, but why a cringefest?
I wish Welly wouldn’t.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Kerry Prendergast has decided to lose her bid for re-election?
March 10th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
It’ll look great once local yoof have tagged it…
March 10th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
“They could at least make it bigger than the Hollywood sign, rather than an eighth the size.”
Nah, it’d be blown off the hill.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
BAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
Please please please let this happen
March 10th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Back in the 60′s and 70′s Wellington airport had a nice wee hedge, about 60cm high, planted on the grassed bank of the northern end of the runway, outside the perimeter fence, where it slopes down to meet Cobham Drive. It was planted out to form the words “Wellington” and was always well cared for.
It was visible to all traffic approaching or leaving the Cobham Drive roundabout.
It was subtle, and it was nice. Why can’t they return to this type of elegance?
March 10th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
What retard thought this up ? OK as a half-assed in-joke, but pathetic to put on a hill…
March 10th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
“A sign like that just makes us look like we have some sort of city penis envy.”
WILLYWOOD perhaps?
March 10th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Fucking hell. And what will it say about the Wellington film/arts industry/community if it does get put up? That we want to be like Hollywood? How about we not have the sign and aim to be better than Hollywood? Looking at the recent movies which have come out and the facile obsession with the cult of celebrity that Hollywood seems to be all about, it shouldn’t be too hard. Wellington needs to forge its own course instead of trying to ape Hollywood with what will be a pale imitation without any of the history that such a sign implies.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Could Wellington be made to look more tacky. it is a town that lives on the confiscated income of the rest of the Country especially the upper North Island.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Shouldn’t it be Jacksonville.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
To sum up yesterday evening’s reaction -
Erecting a sign on Miramar’s hills to say WELLYWOOD
Belies Weta’s success, and so it should.
Not a Super City thing, that only could
Be as this reads: rather Auckwood.
Wellington – capital to politics, sports and arts
Beyond your dreams you northern farts
Call it tacky, unoriginal, couldn’t be naffer
Eat your heart out you jealous jafa !
Still, pissing on Auckland is not a good enough reason for Wellington do this to itself.
The scrub there will probably burn well to start with. Regularly.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
YES YES YES
the bigger, the whiter the better
March 10th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Someone mentioned yesterday that they would like to see the sign read
WETAWOOD
I think this is a great idea – particularly if Weta created a giant Weta to go beside
the sign, climbing over the hillside
Very Kiwi and very cool
March 10th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
With a little sign underneath saying “paid for with YOUR taxes”
March 10th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
I am surprised that the District Plan would allow this and as it would be visible from the motorway suspect that the NZTA would object on the grounds that it was a distraction to motorists. Surely a sign such as this would require Resource Consent and would need to be publically notified. I am sure that there is sufficient red tape in the current system to stop this going ahead or put on hold for eternity.
I recall in the late 70′s that a sign WILLIAMS atop the then Williams Building was removed due to some sort of public outcry.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
There’s a sign generator already…. http://wellywood.skullandbones.co.nz/
Have a look through people submissions here: http://wellywood.skullandbones.co.nz/pics/
March 10th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Out with the mayor. She has obviously lost the plot…….
Wellington following Mosgiel. Jesus wept….
March 10th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Personally I’d much rather see a really giant weta on the hillside… growing up in Wellington I have countless experiences with them.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
If that goes up, I am so gonna alter that letter E!
March 10th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Mosgiel is no joke.
March 10th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Someone mentioned yesterday that they would like to see the sign read WETAWOOD
or, looking to future business – WETAWOULD
March 10th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Put it up.
It’ll get blown over by the wind within a couple of days anyway.
March 10th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I think it would present a fun challenge to alter the message in the dead of night. My personal preference would be to change it to EL WOOD, with some hastily applied dark paint.
I reckon they’ll probably light it at night, so from start to finish you might have 10 minutes before security or cops turn up. Would probably need to have a team of people with tall ladders (and a truck) and co-ordinate a fast painting job so get it done and make your getaway.
Yes, definitely EL WOOD…
March 10th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
How about a nice big picture of Kerry saying welcome, no that’s even worse. Don’t do it Wellington.
March 10th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
I like the giant weta idea – a lot (especially compared with the above proposal). The thing about a joke is that it quickly wears off, but nevertheless here we would be left with a lasting reminder of some juvenile attempt at humour.
March 10th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Saw this yesterday and pissed myself.
Go for it Wellington, show us all how tacky you are.
March 10th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Don’t forget its from the same idiots that brought you the pumpkins – because they were original!
March 10th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
shouldn’t the sign read..’cold wet ‘n windy’-wood..?
phil(whoar.co.nz)
March 10th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
“However Ms Prendergast says the sign will put Wellington on the world stage.
She says anything that’s artisitic or creative tends to create controversy but the important thing is it has got people talking about it.”
–http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2010/03/10/1247f7d85d8a
As far as I was aware, cheap rip-offs weren’t considered particularly artistic or creative. And what? How exactly will it put Wellington on the world stage? I thought worthwhile developments and events might do that, but not an ugly and derivative sign.
March 10th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
@JiveKitty “However Ms Prendergast says the sign will put Wellington on the world stage.
Yeah… as a laughing stock!
March 10th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
“Wellywood. What awful cultural cringe. A garish, hand-me-down from someone else’s clothes box”
- http://twitter.com/JohnJCampbell
March 10th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
If Ms Prendergast thinks that will put Wellington on the map, give me strength, she must be well short of a brain, or be the first living brain donor!
It is as tacky as you can get…
March 10th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
I like The Pillars of Argonath idea much better…
http://twitpic.com/17i2yf
March 10th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
For a place that tries to push a “unique”, “original”and often anti American image of itself I find it ironic that someone is chosing to copy such an idea and not even a good one to promote itself.
The original sign in Hwood is regularly vandalised. Wellington rate payers should be prepared to pay for that on a regular basis , not to mention wasted police time.
March 10th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Kerry, it’s obviously time to move aside as your ability to divine the Wellington zeitgeist is waning.
You sound like someones Nana at a school disco.
March 10th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
This one’s pretty funny: http://wellywood.skullandbones.co.nz/pics/1789CFA4-9918-F7F3-B0D9-66B5F70ABBB8.jpg
March 10th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Next US ship visit we would only need to change two letters and drop in a ‘ to get WELLYWON’T
March 10th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Some possible rearrangements:
http://wordsmith.org/anagram/anagram.cgi?anagram=Wellywood&t=1000&a=n
My favourite: “WE DO LOWLY”
March 10th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Mauriceo
March 10th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
I am surprised that the District Plan would allow this and as it would be visible from the motorway suspect that the NZTA would object on the grounds that it was a distraction to motorists.
Just look at the Cobham roundabout, WCC (read Kerry) spent thousands of dollars of our money on a lovely artwork designed specially for night time.
Then WCC allows the airport to put a lightsore that completely distracts people using the roundabout (i’ve seen a couple close shaves in front of me and waiting for a death) and it is an eyesore to boot. that they did it using “tempory containers” just adds salt to the wound.
Go Figure.
I definately want regime change in Wellywood.
March 10th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Yep, tacky, presumptuous, unoriginal, cloying and un-kiwi.
Also within two days of going up it will be covered in the mindless scribbles of taggers. I suggest Wellington first solve the tagging problem before giving them a prominent blank canvas.
March 10th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
MikeNZ
I know my rates are high, but WCC using them to purchase Meridian Energy was very secret, and probably illegal.
http://www.sculpture.org.nz/engine/SID/10007/AID/1049.htm
Reality and the Kiwiblog Comments section are mutually exclusive.
March 10th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Go Celia Wade-Brown!
The incumbent Mayor has just given you a big helping hand, methinks.
DPF, I agree with you completely. What on earth was Prendergast thinking when she endorsed this tacky piece of plagiarism?
March 10th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
A Taniwha in evans bay would be a much better idea.
March 10th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
I would have thought that a Deadwood sign would be more appropriate. I mean to say the place is packed full of thick planks of wood that suck on the public tit. The big socialist swindle keeps the pathetic gravy train growing as the tax payer looks to fly away just like Aunty HELLen did.
March 10th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
WELLKANT perhaps. I think is a great idea, and absolutely typical of the leeches and socialist who frequent the dump.
The Giant Weta also appeals – place his mandibles over the Beehive and we would have a statement of some significance.
March 10th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
What Wellington needs to do is build a 100 foot tall Gold statue of Sir Peter Jackson out by the Airport there.
Classy!!
March 10th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Wankington. Christ, next thing you know the Council will be distributing blue Avatar type toilet roll covers to all householders. Competition … submit a photo of yours to win a prize. Be blue and true!
Spew.
March 10th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
YEAH YEAH YEAH go for it. Would love to come down to replace an E with A.
March 10th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Why not just do it for a fixed “season” – 6 months?
March 10th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
dad4justice Deadwood is my kind’a town. Highly recommend the DVDs if you can get ‘em.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadwood_(TV_series)
March 10th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
philu @ 4:34 pm
shouldn’t the sign read..’cold wet ‘n windy’-wood..?
ahh… no thats say’s WELLINGTON dah..
March 10th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Mosgiel represent.
That is all.
March 10th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Oh my!!
You jealous Jafa’s.
DPF has totallly misread Wellingtonians.
He cannot get it right all the time.
Even newsreaders on radio were calling it Wellywood.
Absolutely, Positively, Wellywood
March 10th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
DPF said: “I’m not a big fan of civil disobedience which damages property, but if that monstrosity goes up, I’ll be half tempted to call for volunteers to pay it a visit at midnight. A few axes and problem solved.”
Maybe I missed the sarcasm tags but David seems pretty passionate about this. Obviously not completely serious, but even so, a different high ground to the one he took with that St Matthew’s billboard vandalism in Auckland last Christmas
Then he said: “What a pity some people think they are above the law and have the right to vandalise signs they do not approve of.”
March 10th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
pentwig, you’re obviously a marketing mangers wetdream if you listen to a radio DJ’s opinion.
On topic, Hollywood lawyers are pouncing at the potential breach of intellectual property rights.
Wellywood signage = FAIL.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Well what a bunch of boring buggers you all are.
Peter Jackson could be excused for feeling rather deflated by this relentless negativism. I wouldn’t blame him if he gave you all the fingers and took his operation to LA.
This harmless piece of whimsy reminds me of the fuss that ensued when I suggested in a letter to the sports editor of the Dom that we nickname the stadium the Cake Tin. Boy did that bring the curmudgeons out of the woodwork.
Despite this latest mass outpouring of humourlessness, this city has a reputation for quirky nicknames: the Beehive, the Basin, the old Taj Mahal toilets. We should celebrate that and keep the tradition going.
Good on Kerry and co. for remaining absolutely positive in the face of such an avalanche of boorishness.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
HI Berend
March 10th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Little doubt ‘Wellywood’ sounds as goofy to most outsiders as ‘Bollywood’ does to me.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
John, by all means let’s have a name and identity for the film industry in Wellington. But I’m sure this creative industry could come up with something better than a witless filching of Hollywood?
I have an suggestion. Let’s us “Wellington”; it worked for Hollywood.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
witless felching of Hollywood?
March 10th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
re the anagrams..
i like:..
“..Lewdly Woo..”
sez it all for that sign-idea..
..eh..?
phil(whoar.co.nz)
March 10th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Crickey phool – you must be on the strong Wildwood Weed tonight.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Expat, take your filthy mind and leave the country. Oh wait, you already have.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
I think it’s cool – and it’s on the appropriate place as Peter Jackson’s studios are just around the corner. Wellington should have the message out there that we are not one-hit wonders of the film industry – the four biggest movies of the last decade are all from here.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
@John Ansell: it’s not the “quirky” nickname people seem to be objecting to. It’s the banality of aping the Hollywood sign and what it represents. Wellington is 1) meant to be a creative city – the so-called “creative capital”, right? and 2) should aspire to be more than some hollow celebrity obsessed production factory, which although it might produce a few gems, seems to be more hellbent on making stale remakes and safe product for the mass-market. Because at its crux, this sign will be seen as representing at least some of the aspirations of the city and the industry, and surely we could and should aspire to be so much more. Surely we can do better than a copycat of the Hollywood sign.
Heh, I’d rather have the Pillars of Argonath that thekiwifish mentioned and I’m not a Tolkien fan, although I think we can still do better than that. Hell, do a design competition and see what the students come up with. It’d probably be more aspirational and representative of Wellington’s creativity, and hopefully less derivative than a “Wellywood” sign.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Frankly, I think the opposition to this sign is cringe-worthy.
It’s harmless fun.
Get a grip.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Really dumb. Wallywood is more applicable.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
http://www.3news.co.nz/Default.aspx?TabId=423&articleID=145690&ce2637
However, I fail to see how it can breach copyright. The trademark should be for “Hollywood”, right? They shouldn’t be able trademark the appending of “wood” to a word. As for using the same font, it should’ve entered the public domain by now. Lawyers help me out. I never studied the actual copyright laws in-depth, just how they should be used if applying economic principles to the law.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
Anal bleaching clinics will be next. We just don’t need it. Or that sign.
March 11th, 2010 at 7:40 am
malcolm (1062) Says:
March 10th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
witless felching of Hollywood?
Expat, take your filthy mind and leave the country. Oh wait, you already have.
Oooh, Was that an I?!
Speaking of filthy minds
Rich Prick (261) Says:
March 10th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
Anal bleaching clinics will be next. We just don’t need it. Or that sign.
March 11th, 2010 at 7:52 am
lmao what the fucks in the water down there?
March 11th, 2010 at 7:58 am
I hear it’s all the chemical run off effluent from the anal bleaching clinics
March 11th, 2010 at 8:44 am
I suggest JACKSON HOLE
But that too would be subject to copyright violation proceedings from Jackson Hole Wyoming.
I agree wholeheartedly DPF – a truly appalling idea.
March 11th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Try it yourself
http://wellywood.skullandbones.co.nz/
Apparently the Los Angeles people have a copyright on the staggered lettering format as a trademark, not the word HOLLYWOOD itself. The whole WELLYWOOD thing would legally be an obvious pip-off because it makes no sense without reference to the original.
March 11th, 2010 at 9:12 am
I’ll be half tempted to call for volunteers to pay it a visit at midnight. A few axes and problem solved.
I’m genuinely sad to read that, David.
I support the idea, not because I like the sign (I don’t), but because it will be shining proof that in New Zealand we still have the right to expression that offends the sensibilities of some people.
I say: go the sign!
March 11th, 2010 at 9:54 am
I obtained a copy of the planners report under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987. Mind boggling: http://bit.ly/d3Bpr2
March 11th, 2010 at 10:32 am
New signs for wellington
CAKETIN TOWN
HURRICANS oops HURRICANTS
March 11th, 2010 at 10:33 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk-OYfY6vOA
March 11th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
damaskedmarvel
Fascinating link, thanks for posting. Apparently, in NZ, if you want to put a sign using your own money on your own property, you have to ask permission. Not only that, somebody has to sit down and write a 20 page document on it recommending, among other things, you consult with the NZ Historic Places Trust. Words cannot express the uselessness…
How the f*** does anything ever get done in this country?
March 11th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Want some cordless electric chainsaws DPF? I know a few people down there that work far better than the SAS.
Might be a whine … or 5 involved
March 11th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
OK, what about taking the Miramax logo and replacing the x with an r? (Only joking.)
But seriously, why not build in Miramar our own version of the Universal Studios Tour, starring King Kong, Gollum, the Nav’i, Dambusters (eventually) etc.?
It’s so astonishing what’s happening there, but I think in true Kiwi tall poppy fashion we’re starting to take Peter Jackson and co. for granted.
A decade or so ago he made the spoof Forgotten Silver which pretended that a whole bunch of cinematic innovations were the brainchildren of a New Zealander filmmaker. Ten or so years later that’s no longer a fantastic idea thanks to the same director.
We are the creative capital, so let’s put those creations to work earning more tourist dollars for the city. Surely we could have a more swept-up celebration of Wellywood than the tiny Weta Cave?
March 12th, 2010 at 7:14 am
I still think it’d be a much cooler idea to have some huge creature climbing over the hillside. It’d certainly be memorable looking out an aircraft window at something like that. Some sort of bug like a Tree weta, a Huhu bug, a cicada, or a bumble bee – I have great memories of those bugs growing up in Wellington. I suppose there could be a slight problem if the bug got airborne but that could be newsworthy in itself.