Liquor ban likely after ugly night in Raglan

By RENEE KIRIONA and ROSALEEN MacBRAYNE

The small Waikato town of Raglan, one of the few party spots in the country without a liquor ban, was the major test for police controlling New Year celebrations.

While most towns and cities reported a peaceful New Year, the beach town, traditionally free of trouble, reported its unruliest New Year's Eve celebrations yet.

Police had to call in reinforcements from Hamilton and Te Awamutu to deal with brawls involving up to 150 people.

As a result, police are considering liquor bans.

Inspector Graham Matthews said more than 5000 people gathered in Raglan's main street.

"I am disappointed that an element of the community have chosen to abuse the fact that no liquor ban was in place at Raglan by becoming intoxicated and unruly.

"Until now Raglan has been able to enjoy New Year celebrations without having to impose a liquor ban. However, the behaviour suggests this may need to be reviewed."

But Raglan Sergeant Blair Donaldson said that although liquor bans addressed some problems they also caused others.

"If you impose a liquor ban a whole lot of other problems and enforcement issues come with it, like building an Alcatraz [processing cells], boosting police staff numbers to 100 and educating the public. At the moment we just do not have the resources to do this."

To deal with the brawls and 20 resulting arrests, an extra 30 police officers were called in from Hamilton and Te Awamutu, taking police numbers to 45.

Only two of the people arrested were locals.

"That figure goes to show that a lot of the trouble isn't being caused by locals but visitors who come here, cause havoc and then leave," Mr Donaldson said.

Publican Jeff Holloway supported a liquor ban out of fears the town would become riot-prone like towns in the Bay of Plenty.

Mr Holloway, who owns Harbour View Hotel in Raglan, said he hired 15 security guards to ensure his 500 to 600 customers could celebrate the occasion safely.

"The police can only do so much and I think it's time for concert organisers to . . . assist with the security."

Jack King of Raglan's only liquor store, Super Liquor Raglan, said sales were likely to drop if a ban was imposed, but it was in the best interests of the public.

"Business-wise it is not good but then the safety of the community is paramount.

"It's going to be imposed sooner or later, so why not now?"

Traditional trouble spots for police were relatively quiet, Mt Maunganui casting off its reputation for New Year mayhem.

Tauranga Mayor Jan Beange said the past few mostly trouble-free years in the popular beach resort were due to careful planning and event management.

Tightly enforced alcohol and glass bans and vehicle restrictions at the northern end of the Mount peninsula might be strict, but they ensured that the culture at Mt Maunganui was "coming here and enjoying yourself and having a good time".

The carefully programmed entertainment provided on New Year's Eve was also important in creating a family carnival atmosphere, said Ms Beange, who lives at the Mount.

"If you just let it all happen, that is when trouble is likely. "

Although it was expensive for the council and ratepayers, the cost to the reputation of the city when things got out of hand was more in the long run, she said.

"We shouldn't relax though. New Year is a major public event. You need to plan and manage it."

Three years ago, Mt Maunganui was the scene of a riot when hundreds of young people pelted police with bottles and hurled metal barriers and rubbish containers.

But this year's celebrations, when up to 30,000 people gathered near the main beach, were judged "a complete success" by police.

Inspector Ron Cooper said they were delighted. Most people complied with the liquor ban and there were 108 arrests, compared with 188 last New Year's Eve. The 324 arrests since Boxing Day were down by 150 on the same period last year.

Police in the Coromandel town of Whangamata said New Year's Eve passed without major incident.

About 250 people were arrested for breaching the liquor ban and two young men were charged with inciting violence after police found them walking around with the words "Riot! *** the Pigs" written on their bare chests.

Taupo police, who were expecting much worse, arrested 150 people on New Year's Eve and 200 in the two days leading up to it, mostly for liquor ban breaches and disorder.

Gisborne police made 30 arrests.

Auckland police reported a relatively peaceful night.