Kaitaia reclaimed with pride

More than 200 people marched through Kaitaia's main street on Friday in a show of civic pride and determination to face down those who have rendered it unsafe at night.

La-Verne King, chairwoman of Te Rangi Aniwaniwa board of trustees, said the march had been called in response to an incident in the main street on the evening of July 5, when about 20 drunken youths confronted, abused and in some cases assaulted some female Te Rangi Aniwaniwa students.

One of the boys, who punched one of the girls in the face several times, had told her that she couldn't do anything because he was under-age.

A man who had tried to intervene was allegedly assaulted by boys in the group.

"We are here today to reclaim our town with pride," Ms King told the assembled marchers in Jaycee Park.

"Kaitaia belongs to all of us, not just to drunken youths. We are making a stand."

A public hui would be called in four weeks' time to assess whether all the publicity and all the energy that had been expended since July 5 had changed anything, she added.

One of the victims of the attack spoke out with a simple message - all she wanted was to feel safe in her own town.

Turei Patuwairua, who heads the fathers' patrol set up by the kura whanau, called on the community to support what was being done to keep young people safe.

"I know we've all got jobs and we've all got families, but most of us could give a couple of hours on a Friday night," he said.

Those who could not give active support could back the response passively; the most pressing need was for some high-visibility jackets and torches. "It was so dark last Friday night that we could hardly see each other," Mr Patuwairua said.

Meanwhile, Te Hiku Community Board member Yvonne Smith said the board was talking to Top Energy about the lack of street lighting, and had confirmed with the Liquor Licensing Board that local liquor outlets were complying with the law against selling alcohol to minors.

It appeared that the alcohol youths were drinking was being provided by adults who were buying it for them.

That, she said, was an issue for the community to address.

A 16-year-old accused of assault has been referred to Youth Aid in relation to the July 5 incident, while another has since been charged with disorderly behaviour. Two other teenagers were released on pre-charge warnings for disorderly behaviour.