Wet but relatively quiet New Years in Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty Police had a much quieter New Year’s Eve than usual, being kept busy more with weather-related issues, rather than any of the problems that are usually associated with the annual festivities.

A number of New Years events in the Bay of Plenty Police District region were either cancelled or changed due to the bad weather. This included the cancellation of the Mt Maunganui New Years Eve events, and Rotorua's Lakeside concert and Taupo's New Years Eve concert were both moved to indoor venues.

The Bay of Plenty District Commander, Superintendent Glenn Dunbier, says the Police New Year operation remained relatively unchanged despite the event changes, with the planned staffing numbers retained for the night.

"With the cancellation of and changes to many of our key events, it meant we had the flexibility to deploy staff in different areas, and to respond to weather-related issues that developed, particularly on the roads."

There was a significant amount of surface flooding in the region yesterday (December 31) and a slip closed part of SH29 over the Kaimais. As at 2am this morning, SH 2 was closed between Taneatua and Waimana. The only road open to Opotiki is via Ohope with caution urged.

Superintendent Dunbier is urging people to continue to take extreme care on the roads today and in the coming days.

“We have had a significant amount of rain which has made for dangerous driving conditions. The rain is forecast to continue for at least the next 36 hours, which will add another layer to our already-sodden roads.

“We expect large numbers of people to be travelling today as the weather takes its toll on camping holidays, and we’re asking everyone to drive to the conditions and to exercise a bit of patience. Please take care on the roads.”

Superintendent Dunbier says there is no doubt the region’s quieter New Year is attributable to the bad weather.

“By and large, most people exercised some sensibility and responded to the conditions.

“We would like to particularly acknowledge the Tauranga City Council who made an early and responsible decision to cancel events at Mt Maunganui due to the bad weather. This made it very easy for people to adjust their plans – as well as allow for us to be flexible with our planning. A number of other councils around New Zealand soon followed suit.”

Superintendent Dunbier says Police are asking the public to continue to be sensible about their celebrations in the coming days.

“Please make it a 2012 to remember and not one to regret or forget.”

The Bay of Plenty Police District covers a wide geographic area that includes Western Bay of Plenty (Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Papamoa, Te Puke, Katikati), Rotorua (including Murupara), Taupo (including Tokoroa, Putaruru, Mangakino and Turangi) and Eastern Bay of Plenty (including Kawerau, Whakatane, Opotiki and Te Kaha).

* Arrest figures for the Bay of Plenty District as at 2am are: WBOP (Mt Maunganui) 35; Rotorua 24; EBOP 10; Taupo 6.