'Family day' wins praise of top cop

8th February 2010

The Far North's top cop says this year's trouble-free, family-oriented Waitangi Day showed the district in a good light.

Far North area commander Inspector Chris Scahill said the commemorations had been "very successful", with no arrests at the Treaty Grounds and no incidents worth noting.

There had been a few more arrests than usual in and around Paihia for alcohol-related disorder, but that was probably because there were more people in town. 

This year's event had again seen  increased numbers of families, and more and more average Kiwis, coming to Waitangi to celebrate Waitangi Day.

"Did we have protest? Yes, we did, but that's part of Waitangi Day, and it was peaceful and lawful. That speaks volumes for all the groups involved at Waitangi."

Mr Scahill said the highlight for him was Friday's powhiri at Te Tii Marae for the three main VIPs - the Governor-General, Prime Minister and leader of the opposition.

"It was a well-run, impressive event celebrating the culture and honouring the manuhiri [guests] ... It showed the North in a good light," he said.

The only confrontation the Advocate saw was a stand-off  when three people, one of whom wearing a Headhunters gang patch, were blocked by police from crossing the bridge to the Treaty Grounds, where gang patches are barred.