Police plea to parents after teens in mass disorder incident at Dinosaur Park, Wānaka

Wānaka is a popular summer holiday destination, but some young visitors have been misbehaving overnight. Photo / Peter Unger, file

• Police have called on parents to “take responsibility” after a mass disorder incident in Wānaka early this morning.
• Around 300 young people - many underage and on holiday - were gathered at the lakefront Dinosaur Park, with multiple fights breaking out and some youths knocked unconscious.
• Excessive amounts of alcohol were being consumed, including by underage teens.

Multiple young people were knocked out after fighting broke out among hundreds of drunk and underage teenagers at a Wānaka park early this morning, with police urging holidaymaker parents to “keep track of your kids”.

Police were called to Dinosaur Park around midnight after reports of about 300 young people gathered there and multiple fights breaking out in a “large disorder” incident, Acting District Commander Inspector Matt Scoles said.

“At least three serious assaults were reported, involving young people being knocked unconscious, along with numerous other more minor assaults.”

Disappointingly, underage teens at the lakefront park – many holidaying in the Central Otago holiday hotspot with their families – appeared to have been supplied alcohol, Scoles said.

The legal drinking age is 18.

“I’m sure many parents would have been horrified to learn their teens had been putting themselves in danger, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol and engaging in violent altercations.

“It’s extremely dangerous for all involved when we have young people drinking under the legal age and gathering en masse without any supervision.”

Families on holiday needed to stick together, and enjoy time away from home responsibly – with parents knowing where their teens are and taking responsibility for their welfare, Scoles said.

“We know it’s a time of year when lots of people are out celebrating and having a good time. But we need parents to make sure their young people are acting responsibly, knowing where they are and what they are doing.

“Please keep track of your kids, and have a plan with them around how everyone is going to stay safe. We don’t want to be knocking on your door at 2am telling you something serious has happened involving your teenager.”

Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.

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