Parents are being called to account and told take responsibility for their teenagers’ welfare and not supply them with alcohol after several young people were left unconscious and injured at a Wānaka lakefront park.
Otago Lakes acting district commander Inspector Matt Scoles said parents needed to know where their teens were and what they were doing after a number of brawls broke out involving about 300 young people in Wānaka.
Police were called to Dinosaur Park about midnight yesterday after a report that 300 young people had gathered there and multiple fights had broken out.
At least three serious assaults were reported involving young people being knocked unconscious, along with numerous other more minor assaults.
Witnesses who were staying nearby said they saw a group of youths attack two young men.
One was punched and fell to the ground where he was kicked by others in the group.
When the witnesses called out to stop, the second victim ran to them and they helped him contact his family, who came and picked him up.
The level of violence and the pack mentality was frightening, they said.
Several of the attackers were seen filming the attack on their phones and the Otago Daily Times understands it was available on YouTube shortly afterwards.
Insp Scoles said it was disappointing many of those present appeared to have been supplied alcohol.
"We know it’s a time of year where 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.
"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."
Many of those involved were from out of town, with families in Wānaka on holiday, he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Wānaka businesswoman Amanda McDonald who runs the Green Toad bike hire and gift shop near the waterfront.
"It’s not what Wānaka is about."
Ms McDonald has lived in Wānaka for 24 years and has seen it change as it got busier.
"More people bring more drama."
The Moorings Apartments co-owner Peter Sutherland said he had not heard anything.
However, he believed things had been improving in the town thanks to the liquor ban, which was well entrenched.
"When we first came here eight years ago I would get half a wheelie bin of broken glass from the front of the property on New Year’s morning. I would take a broom and shovel to collect it all. This year I picked up two empty stubby bottles."
He said there had never been a disturbance like Wednesday night’s in the town before.
The two nights before and New Year’s Eve had been superbly organised.
There had been music along with great security and support for revellers, Mr Sutherland said.
