Friday, December 31

Ushered in a mostly trouble-free New Year

Police around the country are reporting a mostly trouble-free New Year's Eve with arrests being predominantly drinking and disorder related.

Wellington police reported 20 arrests, mainly for disorder offences. One incident involved a 39-year-old woman who fell off Glasgow Wharf into Wellington Harbour. The woman was rescued by two locals and taken to hospital.

Thousands of party-goers descended on the Nelson region overnight. There were 1400 visitors at Maitai Camp and 2000 at Kaiteriteri. A pub concert at Riwaka Hotel attracted around 1700 punters with no problems reported.

Nelson police made 21 arrests, also mainly for disorder. Area commander Inspector Brian McGurk says the strife-free New Year comes down to a high police presence and careful planning.

Nearly 12,000 people celebrated in Cathedral Square in Christchurch. Police reported only a few isolated incidents which they got onto quickly before they got out of hand.

In all there were 69 arrests in the city's CBD, mostly for breaches of the liquor ban and disorder offences.

Head of the New Year's night operation Inspector Derek Erasmus says overall everyone was well-behaved.

"Police have been kept busy across the city tonight, however overall once Cathedral Square cleared it was quieter than the last two years."

In Auckland, police made 42 arrests from seven last night to seven this morning.

No arrests were made in Gisborne where 25,000 people packed into the Rhythm and Vines festival.

A large waterfront crowd in Wanaka resulted in only 13 arrests for minor offences. One driver was charged for exceeding the breath alcohol limit out of 1000 drivers tested.

Traditional hotspots Tauranga and Mount Maunganui are said to be have been relatively peaceful with heavy enforcing of liquor bans preventing major problems.


(source:nzcity.co.nz)

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