As Ohakune prepares for the arrival of around 8,000 people for the annual Mountain Mardi Gras, Police are urging visitors to the area to have fun but stay safe.
The officer in charge of Ohakune Police, Sergeant Mike Craig, said: "The event has been peaceful recent years, but we still pick up the pieces of people doing regrettable things or becoming victims of crime because of too much alcohol and high spirits. We want visitors to have fun and not remember the event for the wrong reasons."
Last year 11 people were arrested mainly for disorder and alcohol-related offences and 18 people were caught drink-driving.
This year's Mardi Gras is on Saturday (26 June). A liquor ban is in place in Ohakune and Police will act on breaches of the ban. There will also be a road policing operation in place in the area from Thursday with the Traffic Alcohol Group and Highway Patrol.
The messages are clear and simple:
• Plan your trip carefully
• Don't drink and drive. Remember Police also test fro drug-driving.
• Arrange safe transport to and from the venue or nominate a sober driver
• Lock your vehicles and make sure all personal items and valuables are out of sight.
• Moderate your drinking. For every alcoholic drink have a soft drink or glass of water.
• Don't accept drinks from stranger.
• Keep all valuables close to you and out of sight; only take to the event what you really need to take.
• Look out for your friends. If they have had too much to drink make sure they get home safely.
"None of the messages are new," said Sergeant Craig, "but every year there are people that find themselves in situations that a few simple measures could have prevented. One reason planning is so crucial is that most, if not all of the accommodation locally has sold out. It is important that people don't just pitch up thinking they can secure a ticket and a place to stay; it is actions like that put people in vulnerable situations, making unwise decisions. We don't want to dampen spirits but we do want people to stay safe."
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.