Prime Minister’s visit tops a busy week

Senior Sergeant Fiona Roberts. PHOTO: ARCHIVE
Senior Sergeant Fiona Roberts. PHOTO: ARCHIVE
Bail breaches, an accidental distress beacon activation and a visit from the Prime Minister were just some of the highlights from the last week for Wānaka police.

A man was trespassed from Kai Whakapai cafe after annoying other patrons and refusing to leave the premises while under the influence of alcohol.

Senior Sergeant Fiona Roberts said the man was arrested and bailed, but was arrested again several days later for breaching the conditions of his bail — "so he’s having a bad week".

The man was due to appear in the Queenstown District Court on Wednesday.

In a second incident, a woman from Hāwea was arrested after being released on bail from Queenstown and then breaching that bail.

She was arrested with bail opposed and has been remanded in custody.

An accidental distress beacon activation led to a Wānaka LandSAR response in the Ahuriri Valley.

Snr Sgt Roberts said three hunters were found safe but "embarrassed".

On Wānaka’s roads, the Impairment Prevention Team (IPT) breathalysed 1000 motorists at various checkpoints.

One driver had a reading of 895 micrograms of alcohol per litre of blood, which resulted in a licence suspension for 28 days and a summons to Queenstown District Court.

Snr Sgt Roberts said IPT would be back in Wānaka over the weekend.

The police’s commercial vehicle safety team have had a presence in Wānaka in response to complaints by residents of heavy vehicles illegally using MacPherson St to bypass road works.

Snr Sgt Roberts said the "multi-pronged" approach was to ensure MacPherson St was not becoming congested by vehicles that were not meant to be there.

"There’s signs at the front and end of that street that talk about no heavy vehicles going through there."

Police were on hand to provide protection services during a two-day visit by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to the town last week.

Snr Sgt Roberts said they had received additional staffing resources from around the Otago Lakes Central Area to assist with this operation.

On Thursday Mr Luxon visited a supporter’s event at Rippon, the Wānaka Police Station, Wānaka LandSAR and the opening of the Wānaka birthing unit. 

On Friday he attended Treble Cone for the national Matariki ceremony and later attended the Remarkables for the official opening of the Shadow Basin express chair.

regan.harris@alliedpress.co.nz

 

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