Police and emergency services have reported a relatively quiet New Year’s night across New Zealand, with wet weather in several regions appearing to dampen celebrations. Reported by 1News.
According to St John, the ambulance service attended 177 incidents between 10pm and 3am — about 40% fewer than in previous years and comparable to a busy Saturday night.
Deputy chief executive of ambulance operations Dan Ohs told RNZ that demand was highest in the Western Bay of Plenty and Auckland.
"Unfortunately, overnight we have had some reports of our staff being abused at call-outs, including one significant incident in Auckland where our staff were quite significantly abused.
"One of the other trends that we have noted over the last week has been issues and challenges involving people taking synthetic cannabis, particularly in Auckland. And we're reminding everyone that you need to be particularly cautious when taking any form of drug and please, when our ambulance people get there, ensure that you've disclosed to them what you have taken."
Meanwhile, New Zealand Police said crowds around the country were largely well-behaved, with no major issues reported.
In Auckland city, eight arrests were made. Omaha’s surf club area saw large crowds but no arrests. Whangamatā recorded a bigger turnout than last year, with up to 4000 people at Williamson Park.
In Whangamatā, police said the crowd was "larger than last year" with up to 4000 people at any one time in Williamson Park.
"The crowd was generally well-behaved and in good spirits. Some liquor ban infringements issued (although fewer than last year) and 12 people were arrested (again, fewer than last year)."
Raglan saw people mostly well-behaved, but fireworks were allegedly fired into crows at Mount Maunganaui, although no injuries were reported. A total of 17 arrests were made in the Western Bay of Plenty area for disorder/fighting.
In Tai Rāwhiti, police said plans for large gatherings by anti-social road users were "successfully thwarted by police". No issues were reported at the Rhythm and Vines festival.
In Queenstown, police were happy with the behaviour of large crowds in the town, with just one arrest being made.
"A 19-year-old man who punched and broke a shop window. He has been charged with wilful damage and is scheduled to appear in Queenstown District Court on 5 January."
A 29-year-old man was arrested at a bar in Wanakā for "disorderly behaviour and assaulting police".
Nelson saw no arrests with "good behaviour all around".
At the Twisted Frequency festival in Takaka, police helped evacuate up to 100 people to Takaka Hall as the local river was rising rapidly and some parts of the festival area began to flood.
In Christchurch, there were a "few minor incidents" at Rolling Meadows festival - including trespass, disorder and assaults.
"No significant disorder or incidents at Rhythm & Alps."
Finally in Dunedin, police said there were two arrests made - one was a 40-year-old man for assault in a family relationship and the other was a 35-year-old man for breach of bail, assaulting police and resisting arrest.
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