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 yesterday.
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 involving about 300 young people in Wānaka early yesterday.
Police were called to Dinosaur Park about midnight 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.
Queenstown Lakes District deputy mayor Quentin Smith said he was gutted Wanaka was in the news for the wrong reasons.
The council had worked hard to ensure the town was a safe and enjoyable place.
It had supplied extra lighting and security, Red Frogs had been engaged to provide support, food, water and safe spaces for young people, there had been extra police brought to the town and an alcohol ban was in place.
The lack of supervision by parents was disturbing and many young people had arrived in the town centre already intoxicated, Mr Smith said.
While precautions were in place there had been no problems and Wednesday night’s incident highlighted their effectiveness.
The council would have to look at whether they extended the safeguards.
However, it was parents’ responsibility to look after their children, he said.
"Don’t let your kids drink and wander into town."
Red Frogs national director Ray Thomson said while they were happy to support young people, they were a support service not a babysitting service.
Similar problems occurred at all of New Zealand’s party hot spots up and down the country, he said.
They had been in Wanaka from December 29 until New Year’s Eve. The overall trend was young people coming to Wanaka from Canterbury, Dunedin and outside Central Otago, he said.
Groups of teenagers would always create some discord and divisions along school or regional lines. As a result there would inevitably be some negative behaviour. However, most were just there for fun.
"Ninety [percent] to 95% of young people want to have a safe, happy new year."
When parents were five or six hours away and their children were experiencing their first party situation there was a chance things could go wrong, no matter what their family background or how good they were at school.
"We want your teenager to come back with stories not scars."
While they were happy to sit with young people on nights when they were having difficulties they did not take the place of a parent, police or St John staff.
"One of the hardest things, the most difficult part at the end of the night is when you can’t get a parent or guardian and deciding what to do with [intoxicated] teenagers."
Sending them to a tent or car with other young people was not an option, he said.
"We don’t want 15-year-olds looking after 15-year-olds."
Red Frogs helped fill the gap for partying youngsters but it was a shame there was a gap that had to be filled, Mr Thomson said.
Insp Scoles urged families on holiday to stick together and enjoy time away from home responsibly.
"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."
