Comments

Good letter to the ASA. Bloody great advert, made all who have seen or heard about it have a little chuckle. Agree about the PC police, our society in NZ is becoming a bit of a dictatorship, where you need to please all and apply for permits to hang your own washing and cook a meal. Who gives a whaka ;)

My sister emailed me a copy of the ad - we are based in Dubai so wasn`t sure if was real or not! So I looked up your website and found out about all the hoo haa surrounding it! Bit of a shame really - I reckon it promotes the language! All these things have to be put into context. Where`s the sense of humour gone? Good on you ACE!

Just to say I loved your ad. This country has got out of hand when something this funny has been found offensive(by a minority.) Do some more I say

Hi, your whaka ad was great. Just proves the maori language comission is a waste of time and money. In whact, maoris had no written language. Only when the English arrived did they adopt the alwhabet as their own. It was originally a mistake that they used `wh` instead of `f`. Whricken idiots..

Just to let you know that I think the billboard was humourous! If we banned all "play on words" humour the planet would be a much more miserable place. Best wishes, Graham

Hi, I think your sign is brillant. We all used to pronounce those places with a W amd it was the maori who insisted we pronounce it with a F - talk about double standards. I see it as you promoting those places. Good on Ya . Cheers Jo

It`s not just the Maori Language Commission... What a thoughtless and stupid thing to do! Wonder what you`d say if a graffiti artist changed your name to disgrACE ? Same principle - your name is your property, our language is ours. I feel as affronted, insulted and angry as you would. A large sign that said "To all Maori people. We are sorry for being so stupid" displayed for a few months might appease a few thousand of us. Thousands more will probably say "It`s all a sham. They`re still f******* racists." I suspect it`s not over for you - just starting. Alan Armstrong Rotorua

Good on you guys, a sense of humour is something we all love to see. The PC brigade are taking over!!!! Good on you guys!!

The ability to laugh at yourself takes courage and understanding. Too many people take themselves and their lives so seriously that they refuse to recognise the absurdity of much of what they do and say. Sadly, Huhana Rohx is one of these people. “And I believe overall, New Zealand is demeaned as a result of this action” - Huhana Rohx, TV 3 News, 27 March 2008.

I feel this bill board was very clever and cannot believe it has been pulled down, maybe another one should be put up with "for whaka sake!" ha ha

This is a sad day for NZ... Most Kiwis will appreciate the humour and good intent of the ad. Impressive how ONE complaint can stir things up. Keep up the great work. Cheers Chris

That billboard was awesome. Im a Maori and I haven`t come across anyone in my culture who didn`t like it!! dont know wat they are talking about! Cheers for the laugh mate. :-)

Go the ad campaign!! That billboard was massive - shame you took it down guess some people are a little touchy. Well i think you guys should put it back up - i have it on email so am making sure it gets sent round to every whaka we know. It`s definately put your name out there when i next need a rental car i will be coming your way.

Your ad at Parnell Rise - LOVED IT! I had a good laugh every day on the way to work. I am most annoyed that it has been removed, are we now going to change all the words that contain WHAKA to appease the narrow minded people out there.

Just wanted to say what an excellent Billboard! Im part Maori and i really couldnt give a Whak! It was extremely funny and you shouldnt have taken it down! The maoris of NZ should lighten up, we need more humor in this world!

Shame on you for caving to the politically correct ways of the MLC. Loved the billboard and am gutted it has been quashed by such an over zealous, unhumorous group. Hopefully this is a case of any publicity is good publicity for you. You`re definitely first on my list for renting in the future. Regards, Jordan.

Well done on your advertising. Great humour. Pity that you had to buckle to the pressure.

Your new billboard is amazing. I dont rent cars but if I ever do I will get it from you whakas

I do not think your add was in any way offensive, the complaint in my opinion has been generated by the small minded minority who want to make a public statement, the add does not offend me so why does it trouble these small minded people, just ignore them and do not appoligise.

what a pity so many people take themselves faaaar too seriously. I`ve just seen the news item on your Whaka ad, I LOVE IT!!! Pity the naysayers, the killjoys, the ones who think they`re `all that and a bag of chips` have spoiled the fun. Funny how it offends their `maori` sensibilities when they`re more `non-Maori` than `Maori`, but I guess the rest of their `heritage` doesn`t matter to them. Anyway, thanks for the humour, don`t let the morons get you down. And, if I`m ever in need of a rental car I`m sure going to keep your company in mind.

Hi Guys, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your Whaka add. It was extremely great advertisement! I think that the problems that this has caused is just bloody ridiculous and just think that some people need to pull their finger out of their backside and have a laugh. If I ever need a rental car... I`ll call you Whackas!! Cheers!

Hard luck on the removal of your billboard in Parnell. I thought you were quite funny "whaka`s". Don`t you love political correctness! Best wishes for your next campaign

Saw the news item on TV tonite. I support you. If I require a rental vehicle I will be in touch. Good on you!!

Hi there, I just wanted to comend your company on being bold enough to use the advertising campaign where you use Maori place names. I am a young Maori women and understand the light hearted humour in this and am constantly disappointed in Maori hot shots speaking on every Maori persons behalf claiming offensive. It is ridiculous that some Maori can`t laugh at themselves and take every oppourtunity to draw the "victim" card. It is unfortunate that your company has pulled the billboard as you`ll never please everyone, but at least you`ll get noticed!! And that`s the point of advertising! Yours sincerely, Rebekah

I was wondering if it was possible to purchase posters of your advertising signs? I was after the Whakamaru, Whakatane etc so you can visit any whaka. My hubby is a Whakatane boy now living in Australia with me and he has a birthday coming up - that poster would be IDEAL for his bar! TIA

Good job on the billboard. great use of humour. pitty so many uptight killjoys couldnt see it like that. everybody that is remotely decent and human has had a joke about the Whaka towns in there life. as they say any publicity is good publicity. Good job. Logan