Be safe this New Year's Eve urge council and police

City council and police are appealing to residents and visitors to put their safety first while celebrating this New Year's Eve - especially at Mount Maunganui.

Both Mount Drury and Leisure Island would be fenced off and the beach would be well lit in an effort to keep the Mount safe during festivities on the night.

A 24-hours-a-day alcohol ban in Mount Maunganui would include Hull Rd and Tweed St and be in place between December 26 and January 6.

There would be some road closures, parking restrictions and traffic management throughout the day and evening on December 31.

As the traditional council-organised event on Mount Main Beach was cancelled mayor Greg Brownless wanted every one to understand the changes and to plan ahead.

"New Year's Eve is for celebrating, so wherever you are, at home or at a friend's place, make sure you're surrounded by people you trust."

He said the safety of residents and visitors came first.

There would be midnight fireworks from a central city location to be seen across the city.

Council also added a family-friendly fireworks display at 9.30pm, which would light up the sky from a barge at the Tauranga waterfront.

"You've got the choice: celebrating at home, at a friend's place or at one of the NYE events around town, such as the under 18s event Frequency NYE at the ASB Arena," Mr Brownless said.

Frequency NYE was introduced as part of this year's changed event offering, to meet the demand for an alcohol-free youth event in the city.

Frequency NYE tickets included a free bus ride to and from the event. Uzabus would pick up and drop off concert-goers in Greerton, Windermere, Brookfield, Otumoetai, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Welcome Bay.

Area commander inspector Clifford Paxton said there would be a strong police presence in Mount Maunganui on New Year's Eve.

BE PREPARED FOR NYE
- plan ahead before you go out
- being out and about: look after yourself, your mates and your belongings.
- getting around town and home: a graceful exit is as important as a grand entrance - remember to plan how you're getting home and around town