The "Excuse Me" guy aside, Wellington doesn’t see all that many panhandlers around. But recently, a fellow has taken up in the doorway of the old United Video on Courtenay Place, with a sign advising passersby by that he’s looking for money for a trip to Auckland.

What lies in this golden land is uncertain. When I passed by the spot tonight, he was nowhere to be seen, but someone had made this sign:

A guerilla art project? A clever anti-panhandling measure? Or perhaps this will become a new tourist attraction – get your photo taken looking forlorn under the sign, and maybe one day you too will make it to Auckland.