New Years Eve passes without serious incident in Bay of Plenty

Well-organised public events, effective liquor bans and additional Police numbers combined to ensure that New Years Eve passed relatively peacefully in the Bay of Plenty Police District, says District Operations Manager, Inspector Scott Fraser.

Inspector Fraser says there were the usual arrests for breach of liquor bans and minor disorderly behaviour, however, there were no significant incidents or major disorder as a direct result of New Years Eve celebrations.
The Bay of Plenty Police District covers the Western Bay of Plenty (including Tauranga and Mt Maunganui), Eastern Bay of Plenty (including Whakatane and Opotiki), Rotorua and Taupo (including Tokoroa and Turangi).

Inspector Fraser says a combined effort from Police, the Tauranga City Council, volunteers, community patrollers, Maori Wardens and many others helped ensure the Mt Maunganui celebrations ran successfully and smoothly.

"There were more than 200 Police on board across the Western Bay of Plenty area, along with approximately 150 volunteers and 65 council staff who were specifically based at Mt Maunganui.

"It is estimated that there may have been up to 30,000 people at the main Mt Maunganui event. The behaviour at the event was at the standard we would expect and extremely well-behaved, with the majority of people enjoying themselves and seeing in the New Year safely.

"Mt Maunganui is a safe and friendly place to celebrate summer and the festive season for families and children – and that was demonstrated again last night. There were a large number of young families, many with small children, still enjoying the activities and entertainment at Mt Maunganui right up until midnight. This is an enormously successful outcome for everyone involved, including the local community."

The situation was similar in Rotorua, Taupo and Whakatane.

"The success of the evening, in terms of no major incidents or disorder, can be attributed to the hard work and positive attitude of Police and volunteers across the Bay of Plenty. They deserve a vote of thanks for their efforts and dedication, which has helped ensure a successful and safe night for members of the public."

Inspector Fraser says the biggest disappointment for Police and the Bay of Plenty community on New Years Eve, was two separate fatal car accidents, which took place within 45 minutes of each other early in the evening in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

The first accident occurred just after 6pm when a car crossed the centre line on State Highway 2 at Matata, in a stretch otherwise known as the Matata Straights, causing a head-on collision with another car. One person died in the accident and three people were taken to hospital. They were all travelling in the car which crossed the centre line. It is believed that those travelling in the westbound car sustained minor injuries. It is not yet known why the car crossed the centre line.

The second accident occurred at approximately 6:45pm on State Highway 35, just outside Opotiki, when a male driver accelerated through a Police checkpoint at speed and failed to stop when signalled. The car lost control approximately 200 metres past the checkpoint, swerving and rolling into a ditch on the opposite side of the road. The dead man was the single occupant of the car.

"Until yesterday evening, the holiday period road toll had been relatively low, and it’s a huge shame for everyone who will be impacted by these two accidents – the family and friends of those killed and injured, as well as Police and other emergency services who attended the crashes."

Inspector Fraser says BOP Police will continue to be out in force on the District’s roads over the rest of the summer period, and will be specifically targeting the Fatal Five contributors to serious and fatal road crashes – speed, restraints, dangerous or careless driving, drink or drugged driving and at risk drivers, mainly young people.

“Obviously we can't be everywhere at once, but we will be out in force with a very visible presence on our roads in an effort to deter problem driving and to help keep others safe."

He encourages people to contact Police immediately on 111 to alert them to incidents of dangerous driving.

Inspector Fraser says the Bay of Plenty Police District's summer policing operation doesn't finish with New Years Eve, and its summer police activities will continue to be in place until Waitangi Weekend.

"The wider summer period is an exceptionally busy time for the Bay of Plenty, and our key objective is to help keep people safe and reassured on the street, beach, roads and in their homes. We're doing everything we can to achieve that."