Wānaka Police have responded to road policing incidents including burnouts, a crash, plus speeding and licence status issues over the past week.

Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts said an investigation is ongoing after complaints of burnouts in Hāwea on Saturday (June 1).

The incident also resulted in the police impounding a vehicle for the driver driving while suspended.

Traffic infringement offence notices were issued for speed and licence status outside Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC). 

“At peak times there are students spilling out of the school,” Fi said. “Slow down.”

There have been a number of other speed-related complaints around town, particularly on Macpherson Street, where residents have “had a guts full”, Fi said.

“What we are seeing a lot of is heavy roadworks are pushing people into residential areas and some people are speeding down those alternative routes.”

It’s not just affecting Macpherson Street, she said: that pattern “is replicating itself all over Wānaka.”

Police will have a presence in the hotspots, she said.

There was a vehicle collision on the Crown Range where a single vehicle heading south appeared to have taken a corner too quickly and lost control. 

This incident serves as a reminder to drivers to drive at an appropriate speed for the location and conditions.

Winter weather, which can bring with it black ice, wet roads, rain and fog, requires drivers to be particularly careful on the roads, and carrying chains is advised.

Fi said there were no drivers apprehended for drink driving over King’s Birthday Weekend.

“People are heeding some of the advice we are giving and using their common sense,” she said.

The Police Impairment Prevention Team will be back in Wānaka this week, Fi said.

The long weekend led to a busy period for the Wānaka Police in more than just road policing.

“We attract a lot of visitors and it isn’t a surprise to see an increase in incidents like family harm,” she said.

There were several family harm incidents of note among people who were visiting Wānaka for the long weekend, Fi said.

One of them was a serious assault with “serious family harm charges resulting in the offender being arrested”.

The offender has been remanded in custody with bail opposed.

In a second incident the police were called to an address in Albert Town, which resulted in a Police Safety Order (which are issued to protect victims and give them time to make decisions about their ongoing safety and access support) being issued.

There were two breach of bail incidents over the past week.

“Police had been looking for two offenders wanted for breaching their bail conditions,” Fi said.

“One handed themselves into Wānaka Police, the other returned to Dunedin and was dealt with by Dunedin Police.”

Fi congratulated two Wānaka residents who received CNZM in the King’s Birthday Honours list, Ralph Fegan (for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community) and Mary Lee who (for services to snow sports and tourism).

“On behalf of Wānaka Police Ralph and Mary, congratulations,” she said. 

Call 111 when you need an emergency response from police, fire or ambulance.

Call 105 to report things that don’t need urgent police assistance.

Call *555 to report road incidents that are urgent but not life-threatening.

To make an anonymous crime report contact Crime Stoppers.

PHOTO: Wānaka App