"You can't paint over love" - that's the message from Auckland's Karangahape Road Business Association after an attack on the street's rainbow crossing.

Police say a group of three people poured white paint on the rainbow crossing in the early hours of the morning, and they have launched an investigation.

It follows a similar incident in Gisborne earlier this week by members of the Destiny Church. Business Association general manager Jamey Holloway says it's a petty and cowardly attack on the street's culture.

Holloway spoke to Charlotte Cook.