Outspoken developer referred to police over political billboard
Prominent developer Matthew Horncastle has been referred to police by the Electoral Commission over a controversial political billboard.
The digital billboard popped up on Moorhouse Ave in Christchurch telling people not to vote for Labour, the Greens or Te Pati Maori at this election.
It had a statement saying: “Approved by Matthew Horncastle”.
The Electoral Commission says it has now “referred an individual to the Police over the publication of two election billboard advertisements that did not contain promoter statements”.
Election advertisements must include a statement with the name and contact details of the person promoting the advertisement to comply with the requirements of section 204F of the Electoral Act 1993.
In May, Horncastle revealed he’d been referred to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over the billboard.
Matthew Horncastle in front of his Moorhouse Ave billboard, displaying another political message. Photo / Supplied
While the Electoral Commission hasn’t named Horncastle, he has revealed the investigation himself on social media.
“It ran for a short time period, on an unrented screen, at no cost to anyone,” Horncastle said across multiple social media posts.
“There was no secret donor. There was no hidden campaign. There was no political machine. It was me, expressing my opinion, on my billboard.”
Horncastle believed three people complained to the Electoral Commission.
He revealed the commission emailed him twice in June, but the messages went to his junk mail.
The social media posts expressed concern by Horncastle that this was an attack on free speech.
The police and Electoral Commission have been contacted for further comment.
Katie Bradford is a Senior Correspondent at the Herald. She has been a broadcast journalist for over 20 years and was based in the press gallery for 10 years. She specialises in politics, business and Auckland issues.
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