Five people were caught drink driving over the weekend in the Upper Clutha, Wānaka Police senior sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts said. 

A breath alcohol reading of more than 400 micrograms per litre (mcg) leads to a criminal charge and Fi said three of the cases had a reading of “around 400” and the two others were at “around 700”.

“A lot of people are around that 400mcg mark,” Fi said. “People are taking a risk - and they are getting caught out.”

The police’s Impairment Prevention Team (IPT) will be back in Wānaka this week, she said. 

Road policing 

Road policing is a constant for the Wānaka Police team and drivers should be especially aware of, and responsive to, conditions in winter.

“We are always getting new complaints about bad driving,” Fi said, noting that many were on the Crown Range Road. 

“Yesterday I was called to a driver overtaking on double lines between Wānaka and Cromwell,” she said.

She asked residents to “ring it in” if they witness dangerous driving. 

If it is safe to do so, it is also useful if passengers can record the driving so if the driver is prosecuted and it is challenged, police have proof of driver behaviour.

Drone call-outs

Fi said Wānaka Police were contacted after “a couple of drones” were spotted flying around the Wānaka CBD.

“It was called in because it was near helicopter pads,” she said.

Drone users should be aware of the rules. 

Youth engagement

Fi said acting sergeant Kiriana Flannery and constable Whetu Campbell joined the ‘Pulse’ programme run by Kahu Youth Trust last week. 

Te Kura O Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) students were invited to participate in ‘cognitive conditioning’ scenarios.

Cognitive conditioning combines sports science, cognitive neuroscience and sports psychology to give officers a toolkit that allows them to thrive in high-stress frontline situations, Fi said.

In another youth initiative Kiriana, Whetu and constable Shaun McClintock joined Civil Defence to facilitate ‘Clued Up kids’ - a nationwide programme run by Civil Defence where year 6 students learn how to handle various emergencies in an interactive way. 

Approximately 200 year 6 students from the Upper Clutha got the “shake down” on what to do in emergency situations.

Awards for police partners

Fi extended her congratulations to Coastguard Wānaka Lakes president Jonathan Walmisley for the ‘Certificate of achievement – support activity’ award he received at the NZ Search and Rescue annual awards.

“Coastguard is one of our key partners, working with LandSAR to keep people safe on the lakes,” Fi said. “He runs a great team and it is really well deserved.”

She also congratulated former Wānaka police officer Aaron Nicholson, who travelled to Wellington for the ceremony after he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours list.

Aaron earned the appointment for his several decades with SAR.

“The service he contributes to LandSAR is just amazing,” Fi 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