Drunken revellers in Whangamata this summer can look forward to a stay in a new $1 million holiday home.
A new police station opened yesterday in the Coromandel holiday resort town that has a permanent population of 5000, which more than quadruples over summer as boy-racers, holidaymakers and surfers crowd in.
Thestation has two large holding cells that can take 100 people.
The town's alcohol retailers are bracing themselves for the annual influx. While they are sure their cash registers will be working overtime, they are hoping there won't be a repeat of riots that rocked the town in 1992.
Waikato eastern area commander Acting Inspector John Kelly said the six police stationed at Whangamata would be joined by increasing numbers over summer, the majority on New Year's Eve.
Last year about 100 police maintained order and enforced a liquor ban in public.
