On the corner of SH1 and Piri Road a unique NZ achievement has been established that deserves to feature in the Guinness Book of Records. On a dangerous SH1 corner there are now twenty years of documented DOC Didymo signs constantly refreshed, changed and fined several times, without the protection of a single orange cone. In 2024, this is considered remarkable!

For the last ten years these CCD (Check Clean Dry) Didymo awareness signs have popped up in the most unusual places – see the electricity pylon above which remained standing, without falling over, in 2015 despite the addition of the Didymo sail on SH1 south of Turangi. That was voted by TRM’s inmates for the ‘highest’ award. But now times have changed. There are far more dangerous locations on SH1.

After that famous pylon sign was removed, NZTA (NZ Transport Authority may have a secret new unpronounceable name now?) appointed a new Road Management team to mainly invest in orange cones to create a much safer work environment for Didymo signage erection, which has been much enhanced since. In 2024 nobody dares to erect a new sign or mow the verge without an endless row of orange cones warning traffic for at least 200 m on either side. OK?

The record claimed is for the feast of large DIDYMO awareness signs erected and replaced on a busy SH1 corner for 15 years without any safety shield provided by a single orange cone. Surely that is a world record!

The first (resited above) sign was so old it still had the previous Taupo Council logo. In 2010 the Council removed it, promising to replace it with a new sign to show off their updated image. They lied.

Eventually, in 2014, another replacement sign was erected on the corner site. This location enjoys exceptional commercial exposure to SH 1. Indeed, it was so effective that to indicate how efficient they were, on the very next day the Taupo Council fined the guilty offending land owner, but SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed was, and still is, the Manager of the offending property) refused to pay. We understand Her offence was not using any protective orange cones during construction.

Then in 2018 another exciting sign provided tourist directions to the Tongariro River and to the town centre – see photo above. The next council fine was doubled plus added another $1,500 for not having a resource consent. But whether it was for replacing the original sign or for erecting a new sign without the safety of any orange cones, we will never know.

In 2023 an entirely new “Welcome to Turangi” sign was designed and installed without any orange cones to protect the main road corner. Quite remarkable except that the surrounding jungle had grown to shade the sign from SH1 traffic viewing. Note the DOC sign hiding in the shrubbery. In 2024 the bush was removed to reveal another “Welcome to Turangi” mural.

Then tragedy struck in 2024 as the DOC Didymo awareness sign suffered several terrorist attacks. A new devious strategy was hatched. The protective trees were slashed and now another new Didymo awareness sign has been erected by DOC today, elevated beyond the reach of any feral kids. Meanwhile, the brave signage team at work are not protected by any orange cones. Someone should report them.

SWMBO awaits in trepidation for Her next fine. She should have insisted on an orange cone perimeter to protect DOC’s dangerous busy corner workstation.

Thank you to DOC for participating in this world record attempt.