Tauranga City councillors have tweaked the rules for council candidates' elections signs in order to try and remove confusion created in previous elections.

But those opposing the changes say the changes only benefit currently sitting councillors.

Election sign changes are coming. File photo.

Steve Morris, Rick Curach and Catherine Stewart voted against the changes.

Steve says the alterations benefit sitting councillors because they already have a public profile.

Catherine says it's not a problem that needs fixing and the numbers of complaints have been reducing over the last three elections.

Rick Curach says election signs are not the most cost effective means of campaigning.

The amendments to the new policy are intended to align the council Elections Signs Policy with the council Street Use and Public Places bylaw.

Councillor Gail McIntosh was among candidates who exploited the ‘interpretation gap' in 2013, parking her sign written car on the roadside.

Gail says she paid a city council parking infringement fee of $40.

The councillors voted to delete the exclusion of election signs on vehicle in the definition of sign to make the policy consistent with the Street Use and Public Places bylaw.

It means a campaign vehicle can park anywhere, as long as it's complying with the bylaw's parking rules – or there is a $40 ticket.

Also, candidates' election signs can now be displayed for six weeks on public land, instead of four to bring the election signs policy in line with the Tauranga City Plan.

There are maps and photos of where the signs can be placed – one for each candidate – at specific locations around the city.

Council Controlled Organisation assets are not to be used by any party and/or candidate to gain any electoral advantage.

The 2016 local government candidates, and the general public, with guidance about where and how long elections signs will be permitted during this year's elections through its newly adopted Local Elections Policy.