Police say they had bottles thrown at them while on patrol in Williamson Park in Whangamatā on the Coromandel Peninsula last night.
Police are blaming bad behaviour in Whangamatā on visitors to the town. (file pic) Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Officers made one arrest for bottle throwing with the person to appear in the Waihi District Court in the new year.
Police are warning more arrests are possible after they have reviewed CCTV footage.
They also fined 36 people for ignoring the liquor ban at a Whangamatā Park, and 38 people for doing the same thing around the Pauanui Surf Club.
They say most people causing trouble are not locals.
Meanwhile, a Coromandel holiday hotspot has brought in extra security for New Year to stop trouble from unruly visitors.
Whangamatā Community Board deputy chairman Dave Ryan said the board had employed security guards to work in Williamson Park tonight and tomorrow night.
Last year, thousands of teens gathered on the town's streets, rioting and destroying property.
Ryan would not say how many security guards the board had employed, but said there would be more than last year.
He said there was concern among the town's residents about the behaviour of out-of-control and unsupervised young people.
"We don't mind people coming into our town if they respect the property et cetera, and they don't upset people, I mean you know this is a town with a lot of elderly people in it and they get generally concerned in relation to behaviour of young people, and that was borne out last year.
"A lot of this is brought about by parents that don't control their children and there are a large number of properties that you go past that appear not to have any parental control but they are full of young people. Some properties have 10 or 12 cars, and you don't see any adults."
'Police will be taking a no tolerance approach'
Acting Senior Sergeant Terri Wilson said it was disappointing that visitors would have so little regard for the local community.
"For anyone looking to celebrate New Year's Eve tonight and create trouble be aware that police will be taking a no tolerance approach to poor behaviour.
"Celebrate safely tonight; otherwise, you might find yourself welcoming in 2022 in a police cell."
She said one positive from the police presence in Whangamatā over recent days has been that people do not seem to be drinking and driving.
"We have stopped a large number of drivers and conducted breath alcohol checks and no-one has been over the limit so this is a great result," Wilson said.
She added it was a credit to the liquor licence operators in the town and meant that they were taking their host responsibilities seriously.
The final message to everyone heading out tonight for New Year's Eve is to have a good night but stay safe, she said.
