Police block Marsden Rd after a brawl which started in Paihia Mall just after midnight. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Three deaths, an alleged rape of a teenage girl and a series of alcohol-fuelled brawls marred the start of 2017 in Northland.
Two pedestrians died in separate incidents just more than an hour apart early yesterday while police made 21 arrests, mainly in Paihia, for disorderly behaviour during New Year celebrations.
Police are urging a group of people who were walking home with a Kerikeri man when he was fatally hit by a car to come forward.
The death, about 1.15am yesterday on Kerikeri Inlet Rd, near the intersection with Pa Rd, occurred as people were heading home from New Year's Eve festivities.
The man was not carrying any identification so police were initially unsure who he was.
They now believe he is a 49-year-old Kerikeri man but won't release his name until his identity is confirmed and family have been notified.
The Far North's top cop, Inspector Riki Whiu, said it appeared the man had been walking in the middle of the road when he was hit. He died at the scene despite the efforts of St John medics to save him.
Mr Whiu said he may have been walking with a group down Inlet Rd. They had been heading east, out of town.
The group stopped to help but didn't stay after the ambulance arrived, so police did not know who they were.
"We'd like to speak to any witnesses, and to any and all of those who stopped to assist him," he said.
The accident closed Inlet Rd for more than an hour. With no way around, motorists trying to get home had to wait until almost 3am to get through.
Police were then called to Oruru Rd at Peria, south of Taipa, about 2.28am after a 17-year-old girl from Tokerau Beach was struck by a vehicle. She died at the scene.
The third death was of a 17-year-old boy at Ruakaka who was unresponsive when he was checked on about 9.45am yesterday.
Police were called and the case has now been referred to the coroner.
Detectives are investigating the alleged drugging and rape of a 14-year-old girl at Kohukohu. Further details were not being released by police.
A festive and mostly good-natured end to 2016 in Paihia was marred by a series of alcohol-fuelled brawls after midnight which at one stage closed the town's main highway.
Nineteen people were arrested, far higher than last year's tally of two.
A few thousand people gathered to welcome the New Year and watch the traditional midnight fireworks display.