New Year Celebrations
Police gear up as year winds down
Party hotspots in the lower North Island are gearing up for an influx of revellers as the clocks tick down to 2007.
As numbers swell, police are starting to enforce liquor bans to ward off trouble and are urging holidaymakers to take care of each other this New Year's Eve.
Wellington city police have brought in reinforcements from Lower Hutt and Kapiti Coast to help deal with the 20,000 to 30,000 people expected to pack the city centre and Courtenay Place bars.
About 8000 are expected at the alcohol-free Rhythm and Beats family event in Civic Square, which kicks off at 8pm tomorrow. Acting Inspector Jason Ross said a liquor ban would apply to the city centre and to Oriental Parade. Gisborne is in the midst of a visitor explosion, with about 15,000 extra people already in town for the 18-hour Rhythm and Vines concert. A further 10,000 are expected to arrive today and tomorrow.
Tourism officials said shops and petrol stations had organised extra stock, and medical services had pooled resources. The city's 1500 motel beds were fully booked and most camping grounds had reached capacity.
Hastings police are bracing for the onslaught of young partygoers at the popular new year destination of Waimarama beach.
Extra police patrols will be visible in most coastal areas on the East Coast, including Tolaga Bay, where about 3000 people are expected at an R18 concert.
A 24-hour liquor ban has been in place since Boxing Day at Mt Maunganui.
Liquor bans are also in place in Tauranga, Papamoa and Omanu.
Taupo police began the new year crackdown on Thursday night, pulling in extra officers from the Bay of Plenty, Palmerston North and Taumarunui. They were unsure what to expect this year after the closure of the riverside campground, traditionally favoured by young revellers.
Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen said the camp had been turned into a park where the council would hold its free concert this year.
A liquor ban runs through till January 4. State Highway 1 through central Taupo will be closed to traffic on New Year's Eve.
In Palmerston North, a free family concert is planned in The Square featuring NZ Idol winner Matt Saunoa.
Wairarapa police plan a zero-tolerance liquor ban to cope with partygoers in town centres and the coastal settlements of Castlepoint and Riversdale.
Thousands are expected on Napier's waterfront for the annual celebrations and fireworks at midnight. A liquor ban will be enforced along Marine Parade.
- with NZPA
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