Community guides for Queenstown nightlife

A new safety initiative for Queenstown’s nightlife will be trialled, beginning in June, Queenstown Lakes District Council Curbing Alcohol Related Violence officer Merv Aoake announced today.

“We are talking about a whole new night time presence in the heart of the town,” Mr Aoake said.

Up to four ‘community guides’ would be employed by the council and funded through the Ministry of Justice crime prevention unit’s CARV programme.

“We have been working with community groups and agencies, including the council and the police for the last 18 months to fine tune this exciting initiative,” Mr Aoake said.

The council would be advertising to fill the guide positions for a three month trial commencing in the last week of June during the Queenstown Winter Festival.

“The main role of the guides will be to promote safety in the centre of town, reduce alcohol related crime and give directions and information,” he said.

The initiative was a proactive response to the ongoing issues associated with a resort town at night.

“It’s not new that Queenstown has a party town label and its not new either that at times our local community tires of certain behaviour. We think this initiative will help get rid of some of the negatives associated with some elements of Queenstown’s nightlife,” Mr Aoake said.

The guides would adopt a friendly and helpful approach but would also act as eyes and ears for the police and other services and agencies.

“The team will receive a briefing each night and will have radio contact with emergency services. They will also be trained in first aid as a first response,” he said.

It was also envisaged the guides would establish a good working relationship with licensees in the town who had been supportive of the initiative.

“This is a positive initiative and I think it will be very much welcomed by both our community and our visitors,” QLDC Mayor Clive Geddes said.

The council was looking for individuals for the role with strong people skills.

“We need good communicators and above all good levels of patience and empathy, plus a sense of humour can go a long way,” Mr Aoake said.

The guides would generally be on duty from Thursday to Saturday with a presence between the hours of 11pm and 4am.

“There will be some flexibility to target certain events on other nights of the week,” Mr Aoake said.