It is no secret that the holiday season in Wānaka draws large groups of visitors, among who are considerable numbers of teenagers travelling with friends for the first time.
As exciting as this may seem for them, it has meant young people have once again found themselves in vulnerable positions without adult support or supervision.
Although no serious incidents took place on New Year’s Eve night, police responded to a brawl at Dinosaur Park about midnight on January 1, involving 300 people, most of whom were teenagers from Christchurch and Timaru.
Police reported multiple fights broke out, at least three serious assaults occurred and some young people were knocked unconscious, along with numerous other more minor assaults.
Otago Lakes acting district commander Inspector Matt Scoles said it was disappointing that many of those present appeared to have been supplied alcohol.
"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," he said.
Wānaka Senior Sergeant Fiona Roberts said in a written media briefing this week that inquiries were continuing to establish the identity and culpability of the youths involved.
In 2022, the Wānaka Sun broke the story that five sexual violence complaints were made to police following New Year’s Eve celebrations in Wānaka, all by visitors.
Wānaka police, St John, Red Frogs and the Queenstown Lakes District Council held a joint press conference on December 18 last year to announce their collaborative response and address the potential risks they were hoping to prevent over the busy season.
The focus was specifically on underage drinking and any drug use, Snr Sgt Roberts saying any supply of alcohol to a person underage would not be tolerated and parents would be contacted.
To help protect young people, police enforcement and security were patrolling the New Year’s Eve celebration on the lakefront throughout the entire night.
The Red Frogs also had a three-day response with tents around town in the days leading up to the new year and on New Year’s Eve night.
Volunteers provided water, free pancakes and any other assistance people might need.
Red Frogs national chairman Ray Thomson said there definitely was underage drinking, making their services very important.
"It’s great that we had people out and about on this, on the streets, to support those people."
