Revellers play to the limit at New Year's events

By AINSLEY THOMSON

Police controlling revellers who saw in 2004 around the country were early today cautiously optimistic that they had staved off the riots that had blighted past celebrations.

In Auckland, a calm night sky lit up with a riot of colour as fireworks erupted from the Sky Tower. Police reported little more than minor disturbances.

Aotea Square was packed for the free First Night 2004 family event, which featured Carly Binding, Goldenhorse and Katchafire.

At the other end of town, the Viaduct Harbour's big event, the Lightspeed New Yeah bash at the Alinghi Base, featured artists such as Nathan Haines and P-Money.

In the resort town of Whangamata, police were prepared for the situation to turn against them at any moment.

Thousands of people crowded into Williamson Park to welcome in the New Year. Tjhere was barely room to move around the surf club as people jostled for position in front of the big stage to hear Jordan Luck sing the first song of the New Year, Why Does Love Do This To Me.

Police described the crowd as verging on violent and said the situation was volatile. During the day, 200 people were arrested in Whangamata for breaching the alcohol ban and disorder offences, bringing total arrests since Boxing Day to nearly 700.

Eastern Area Commander acting Inspector John Kelly said that at 10.30pm the situation was "on edge" around Ocean Rd, where people threw bottles and minor assaults, some involving innocent bystanders, took place.

A giant game of tag went on throughout the day as the thousands of teenagers that had crowded into the town showed their determination to have a good time - involving large amounts of alcohol.

But the police were determined to enforce a 24-hour alcohol ban in public places.

The teenagers knew they could drink on private property, so hordes of them converged at houses. These are their home bases - the police can't get them there, even if they are under age.

They drag couches, deck chairs and chilly bins full of alcohol on to the edge of the properties until they are almost on the road. There they sit and drink and smirk at police. But if they step on to public property with a beer in hand, in swoop the police.

And so the game went on.

Mr Kelly said most people had been well behaved.

In the last two days Whangamata's population of 5000 has swelled to 55,000 and yesterday an estimated 1000 people an hour arrived in town, the majority teenagers.

The hot weather made the beach the obvious destination for many. One of the most popular activities was cruising down Ocean Rd in souped-up cars and throwing water bombs at girls walking along the street. Or, alternatively, sitting on couches on the edges of properties throwing water bombs.

People aged over 20 seem a little thin on the ground in Whangamata on New Year's Eve.

Some of the parents who were there were enjoying the fun just as much as the teenagers.

Renting a house on Ocean Rd was Len and Bev Smith from Hamilton. Yesterday afternoon the couple were standing at the fence joining their three teenage children in throwing water bombs at passing cars.

"Len is the biggest kid of all," said Mrs Smith. "He stands there so the kids won't get arrested."

Another woman, from St Heliers in Auckland, has 30 teenagers staying at her house.

Police said there was "no aggro", at Mt Maunganui.

- additional reporting, Claire Trevett, Michael Otto, Rosaleen Macbrayne