Community gets top cop's praise
Paihia's top cop says he has the local community to thank for the low number of arrests during New Year's Eve festivities.
Despite large crowds, copious drinking and numerous liquor ban breaches, police made just six arrests, mostly for alcohol-fuelled fighting and disorder.
Police bosses put that down to extra staff from Whangarei and Auckland, high police visibility in known hotspots, and moving quickly to nip trouble in the bud.
However, Paihia police Senior Sergeant Peter Masters said the local community had also contributed to the night's success.
Business Paihia had organised a fireworks show for the 10th year running and put together a family-focused evening with games and entertainment on the Village Green. A church group had also put on music and a free sausage sizzle.
"Their efforts were reflected in fewer arrests than we've had in the past. New Year's Eve should be about families and children, not about drinking."
Mr Masters said police could achieve nothing without the community's support. "It's the people who make it or break it, and they made it on New Year's Eve."
The fireworks show was launched at midnight from a barge moored in the Veronica Channel. With no external funding this year, the $15,000 cost was covered by donations from businesses and individuals in Paihia, Russell, Haruru Falls and Opua.
