Hundreds expected at illegal party

Rotorua police are warning teens not to attend an illegal party today being touted around the city as "huge". File photo / Dean Purcell

Rotorua police are warning teenagers not to go to an illegal party touted by organisers as the biggest party of the year.

Tonight's event, called the Black and White Party, is being organised by Rotorua teens and tickets were sold by students at the city's high schools to teenagers over the age of 16.

Teenagers have been promoting the party on Facebook, sparking concern from Rotorua police who are warning teens against going.

The location is a secret and the entry price is expected to be $2 to $3 or a can of an alcoholic drink.

Three teenagers also told The Daily Post about the party, inviting reporters to go along to take photos they said would be "evidence" of what would be a "huge party". They said hundreds of tickets had been sold and teenagers from Tauranga would be attending.

They declined to reveal the location, stating they would text the information on the night.

One of the youths said it was the third party of its kind this year and the previous two had been shut down by police.

He said this one would be much bigger than the other two. Police had been told and they expected police to shut it down.

Similar parties in Rotorua in recent years have got out of control and been shut down by police. Some have provided teenagers with a shot of alcohol as part of the cover charge.

Rotorua police area commander Inspector Bruce Horne said the proposed party was illegal.

"Anyone who arranges an event of that sort would not only incur criminal liability for breaching the Sale of Liquor Act, but may also be held criminally liable should someone be harmed when attending such an event," he said.

"The general rule is that it is unlawful to supply anyone under the age of 18 with liquor. Even if a parent or guardian consents to someone being allowed to consume liquor at a private address, it is unlawful for a third party to supply someone under 18 with alcohol. In other words, liquor can only be supplied to someone under 18 by their parent or guardian."