The traditional Kiwi sense of humour is alive and well on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.
The gender critical here will enjoy the pisstake. Of course, I expect the gender ideologically-captured will call it bigoted tranny-bashing.
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Buller District Council Removes “Men at Work” Signs — Says It Promotes “Gendered Labour Hierarchy”
WESTPORT - The Buller District Council has announced it will phase out all “Men at Work” signs from local roadworks, claiming the phrase “reinforces patriarchal construction culture” and “excludes other identities engaging in shovel-based expression.”
The traditional orange signs will be replaced with new ones reading “People Engaged in Roadway Activity”, featuring a neutral stick figure with no discernible gender - and, according to one councilor, “a safer aura.” Council spokesperson Isla Vanal said the change was long overdue. “It’s 2025. Not every person holding a stop/go sign identifies as a man — some identify as non-binary infrastructure facilitators. Others identify as traffic-fluid. We’re just catching up.”
The move follows a complaint from a visiting Wellington cyclist who described the signs as “oppressively masculine” and “emotionally exhausting during peak commute hours.” Local contractor Hugh Jaynus said the policy shows how far things have gone. “I’ve been diggin’ holes here for 30 years. Never thought I’d need a gender-neutral sign to do it. Next they’ll tell us to ask consent before filling potholes.”
Council has also advised workers to replace informal site greetings like “G’day boys” with “Hello, team of diverse contributors.” According to Vanal, the initiative will help “create a construction environment that’s emotionally inclusive and spiritually level.”
However, not all locals are on board. “Mate, I just wanna know if the road’s open or not,” said Westport resident Nick Ovtyme, gesturing at a half-dug trench. “Don’t care who’s diggin’ it - as long as they finish before Christmas.”
Council confirmed it is currently reviewing other outdated signs, including “Give Way” — which has been deemed “too submissive” — and “Slow Children”, which officials say “lacks compassion in its phrasing.”
