While the weather may have affected New Year's Eve celebrations around the country, there were still many thousands of people gathered in various locations across Aotearoa to ring in 2024.
¡°Police have been generally pleased with the behaviour of those celebrating the new year throughout the country, ¡± says Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson.
¡°Many of our officers across the country have described it as being like a busy Saturday night, with some alcohol-related disorder but no significant issues.¡±
"That said, In Whangamat¨¡, a number of youths were arrested for disorderly behaviour/fighting in a public place. Again in Bay of Plenty, it was a similar story, with a number of youths arrested in ?hope and Tauranga for disorderly behaviour."
¡°While this kind of behaviour is always disappointing, it¡¯s really pleasing to see the vast majority of people in communities right across the country had a safe and enjoyable night seeing in the new year,¡± says Assistant Commissioner Johnson.
¡°We want to remind everyone who may be heading home from holiday in the coming days ¨C please keep safe and be patient on the roads, particularly with the weather still causing issues in some locations.¡±
¡°Make sure you drive to the conditions, within the posted speed limit. Make sure everyone is wearing their seatbelt and are properly restrained. Put the phone away if you¡¯re driving, and take breaks if you feel fatigued.¡±
Ng¨¡ mihi o te tau hou ¨C Happy New Year.
ENDS
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Issued by Police Media Centre.?