Lolly scramble ban for Tauranga parade

Leg-dangling from floats and lolly scrambles have been banned from a Tauranga Christmas parade as organisers spend thousands more on safety because of fears of prosecution.

The December 13 parade, which attracts about 15,000 spectators annually and includes more than 80 floats, will now cost $20,000 - twice as much as last year.

Safety measures include the use of security-patrolled metal crowd barriers, banning people from dangling their legs from floats, handing out sweets instead of the traditional lolly scramble and printing an injury disclaimer on float entry forms.

Parade organisers at Katikati and Te Puke are also taking extra precautions.

The concern over public safety follows a landmark court case this year in which Astrid Andersen, the organiser of a 2001 cycle race from Christchurch to Akaroa, was prosecuted after a competitor died.

Those who have pulled out of the Tauranga parade said the threat of prosecution, coupled with the rising cost of public liability insurance, meant it was no longer worthwhile.

Police said the safety measures were common sense.

"We just don't want to see anyone get hurt," Sergeant Barry Woon said.

Occupational Safety and Health's acting national operations manager, Keith Stewart, said people were putting too much emphasis on the outcome of the Andersen case.

"The anxiety of some organisers is unfounded."

- NZPA