Dad sends son out to clean up mess after complaints about beach party

A Tauranga City Council worker helps to clean up the rubbish left behind on Papamoa beach. Photo / George Novak

The father of the teenager who organised a boozy party on Papamoa beach says he shares the community's disgust at the mess left behind.

The father, who spoke on the condition he was not named, said his son made a mistake but had been held accountable.

The 16-year-old was one of several young people partying on the beach and dunes between Sunrise Ave and Sandhurst Drive on Tuesday night.

Countless booze bottles, cans and rubbish were left strewn across the beach.

Partygoers also lit two fires, one on the beach and another in the dunes.

"I was disgusted as much as anyone else," the father said.

"But I make no excuses."

Horrified residents who found the mess the next morning called authorities.

The father ordered his son down to the beach on Wednesday morning to clean up the mess. He was joined by two Tauranga City Council workers. Together the three cleaned up the remainder of the rubbish by 2pm, the father said.

The father said he understood how upset people must have felt and acknowledged the outrage expressed online.

"Some of these comments, that's exactly what I would have said."

The father said he was aware his son was meeting with friends but was surprised to see how many alcoholic drinks had been left behind from the party.

The teenager owned up to the mess online and apologised for his actions.