Police are hailing the weather and good event management as factors leading to a relatively quiet and trouble-free Mountain Mardi Gras.
Nearly 7,000 people descended on the Central North Island town of Ohakune for the annual festival which usually marks the start of the ski season. A lack of snow this year and a delayed opening of the slopes likely accounted for fewer numbers in the town and, in turn, fewer arrests.
A total of 39 arrests were made compared to 54 last year. Three of the arrests were for detox, 6 for disorderly behaviour and 30 for breach of the liquor ban.
The officer in charge or Ohakune, Sergeant Mike Craig, says the organisers played a big part in ensuring the event ran smoothly. “It was very well run. Overall they did a very good job and it was Mardi Gras staff who were nipping some problems in the bud by refusing entry to intoxicated people and bringing them to our attention.”
Unfortunately, as with last year, some of these people were teenage girls leaving themselves highly vulnerable. “There were a couple of girls separately trying to get into the venue. Both were abandoned by their friends and left for us to deal with. They were completely trashed, didn’t know where they were living or have anyone we could contact. If the Mardi Gras staff and the Police weren’t there to pick up the pieces who knows what would have happened to them.”
Alcohol also accounted for a number of patients dealt with by St John. They treated 25 patients in all; 8 for soft tissue injuries, 8 for lacerations and the rest for drink and drugs.
“I’ve worked the Mardi Gras for 10 years now, and this year was definitely way more manageable than previous years,” said Sergeant Craig. “One arrest is one too many, but with that number of people mixed with alcohol we are also realistic and if all Mardi Gras’s were like this year’s we would be a lot happier. Over the years we have nurtured a good trusting relationship with St John, Fire, licensees, organisers and other interested parties and that partnership is working really well on the night.”
On the road the drink-drive message also seems to be getting through, although there are still some not being realistic about the effects of alcohol the morning after.
There were 10 drink drivers caught this year compared to 29 last year. The majority of the 10 were people leaving the area this morning.
Senior Sergeant Nick Dobson said: “It’s pleasing to see people taking notice of the warnings and the high police presence. It’s unfortunate that there are still a minority who forget or choose to ignore the fact that it takes a good 12 hours for alcohol to pass through their system. Drinking until the early hours and then driving after just a couple of hours sleep is not acceptable.
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