Otaki artist’s P protest spreads

‘‘We need to help our young people and help them to make better choices.’’

A man on a mission to rid the country of methamphetamine by crossing Ps out on street signs is glad his cause has finally reached Taranaki.

Otaki artist Hohepa Thompson has been using red tape to cross out the letter P on street and public signs across the country in the hope of raising awareness about the dangers of the drug.

On Tuesday the Puke Ariki sign in downtown New Plymouth was given the same P treatment.

‘‘I’ve seen it and I know who did it, but I don’t want to identify who it was,’’ Thompson said.

‘‘But it was good to see people taking a stand in New Plymouth and standing up for the cause.’’

‘‘P is becoming the new social norm in New Zealand and everyone knows someone who’s on it,’’ Thompson said.

‘‘We need to help our young people and help them to make better choices.’’

Thompson started his campaign on August 23 by crossing out Ps all across the Kapiti Coast and the movement has spread across the country.

‘‘It got off to a bit of a slow start but this has steadily taken off,’’ Thompson said.

‘‘We’ve opened up a can of worms but it’s a good can of worms we’ve opened.’’

The P-less signs are just the start, with Thompson encouraging everyone to take the Ps out of everything until the campaign ends on September 23.

Thompson said he was currently working through phase two of the project which centres around education and talking with people in depth about how best to tackle the problem.

He is currently working with senior Mongrel Mob member Dennis Makalio and has also attracted support from All Black Dane Coles.

‘‘This isn’t just the government’s problem - the government need to lead it but we all need to take a stand.’’

Thompson is perhaps best known as the man behind the Hori brand based in Otaki which has seen him create an edgy clothing line and artwork.