Watch NZH Local Focus: Beachfront party divides Mount Maunganui

For years, thousands of young people have flocked to Mount Maunganui for the New Year's Eve celebration.

But this year the party has been called off for the second time in 15 years.

Mayor Greg Brownless says it was a necessary measure to protect the safety of the wider community.

"On the advice of the police after a bad year [in 2001], we didn't institute the idea of having this concert - and it worked well. And now, on police advice, we are not going to do it again."

The decision was made by the outgoing council in October to can the event. The vote was seven to four. Mount Maunganui/Papamoa Ward Councillor Leanne Brown was one of the councillors who voted in favour of cancelling the event.

"The information that I received that probably tipped it over for me, was all around the safety issues, particularly for young females, young vulnerable females. You know, I'm not prepared to put somebody's daughter, granddaughter or sister into an environment where they're not going to be safe," she says.

The event has been replaced by an under-18 concert at the ASB Arena. Marketed as 'Frequency NYE: The Whiteout Rave', tickets cost $25. The event will be headlined by Peking Duck, an award-winning electronic band.

But young women who attended the event in recent years say the alternative doesn't hold the same attraction as the beach party.

"The Mount was free, and you know it was like the vibe of it was good to celebrate New Years, but now you can't really do anything else. Like there is nothing else in Tauranga to do, and it's dumb," says Porina Puru.

"Yeah, I don't want to be downbuzz and say I'm happy that it is off. Because I did have fun when I went there. Just having the music going all night, and you can just go down there and dance is always fun with your friends," says Alexandra Ritai.

Beachfront home-owner Craig McCord says he's still concerned about what might happen this year.

"Splitting resources three ways this year, with the ASB and the main event in Tauranga, I think will be detrimental. Because there will still be a large presence of people at Mount Maunganui, they will come either way."

In a statement, Tauranga Police say they witnessed an increase in aggression and violence from people coming to New Year's events over the last few years.

Inspector Clifford Paxton confirmed there will be a strong police presence in Mount Maunganui over the holiday period, but wouldn't comment on the number of police patrolling Marine Parade on New Year's Eve.

Mayor Brownless is not ruling out a return to a kind of beach celebration at Mount Maunganui. He says all that will depend on how the alternatives fare this New Year's Eve.

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