Three of Wicked Campers’ most offensive vehicles have been banned from New Zealand’s roads, following a landmark ruling.

In a ruling from the Classification Office – the first time it has made a decision about a vehicle –  the organisation ruled that slogans on three of the controversial Australian company’s vehicles qualify were “objectionable publications”.

The ruling means that the vans are banned from public places in New Zealand with immediate effect, and Wicked could face a fine of up to $200,000 per offence if it continued to use them.

The banned vehicles depict a cartoon of the Cat in the Hat with drug paraphernalia, Snow White about to snort cocaine and Shaggy and Scooby Doo about to smoke marijuana.

Police had complained to the censor’s office about the offensive images and slogans on Wicked’s vehicles, asking for a ruling on whether they could be classified as an “objectionable publication”.

See full story:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/79413244/chief-censor-backs-ban-on-offensive-wicked-campers-designs

In a statement, Associate Tourism Minister Paula Bennett – who has spearheaded a campaign against Wicked – said the decision was “a real victory for everyone that has seen the vans and been offended by the awful slogans and images on them”.

“This will send a clear message to Wicked Campers that their offensive slogans are not welcome here and it’s time they cleaned up their act.” [Read more…]