An anti-junk mail group is shocked that 1.5 million copies of a religious propaganda book are being distributed throughout New Zealand.
The 94-page book National Sunday Law tells recipients "a stupendous crisis awaits us" and "takes you behind the scenes". Originally published in 1983, the book criticises the Catholic Church and claims the US Government is due to introduce laws reducing freedom of religion.
One mother told Stuff her 11-year-old daughter was forced to deliver the book during her paper round for circulation firm Ovato - even to households with "no circulars" signs on their letterboxes.
Ecomailbox waste minimisation advocate Charlene Fitisemanu told Newshub any unsolicited, unordered book distributed to households is a huge waste.
"Multiply that by 1.5 million and it's enormous. It's not just the huge waste of trees and resources needed to produce it, it's the cost to councils and households that are left with the responsibility of disposing of the material.
"If it's not wanted, they are just producing and distributing litter. Unwanted mailbox marketing material is a huge problem for NZ household bins."
The book was clearly not wanted by many. One Twitter user said that they'd "just got the biggest piece of garbage in my mailbox".
They described it as an "absurd waste of words, print, and paper", questioning "who believes this shite?" [sic]
New Zealanders in Facebook community groups also classified the book as "nasty" - many of whom said they didn't even read it.
"Got one in the letterbox this morning, what a waste of paper it went straight in the bin," one commenter wrote.
Fitisemanu said anyone who received the pamphlet despite having a "no circulars" sign should call the Marketing Association's mailbox helpline on 0800 111 081.
She also believes Ovato should be paying for the cost of the "unsolicited litter" caused by the books.
Ovato and the Marketing Association have been contacted for comment.
