A Coromandel community group broke council bylaws when it used stop-go signs to stop traffic on a main highway ask for donations.
Over Easter weekend drivers were waved down on an open stretch of Colville Road and asked to hand over a gold coin for the Koputauaki Community Centre.
Thames Coromandel District Council Area Manager Greg Hampton says the community group didn't know they were breaking the rules.
"I've contacted them since then and let them know that they would need to apply to council for a permit in future."
Hampton, however, did give the group some credit.
"So I've been stopped by one in Pukekohe. Didn't have any stop-gos, didn't have too much around it and it was for some type of a cancer charity.
"To their credit, at least they had hi-vis."
Â
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you