The big event of the past week, the Wānaka Summer Concert, was a well-behaved affair with only one arrest, says Wānaka Police area response manager Sergeant Graeme Hamblett.

“All in all, it was a very successful concert,” he said.

“We had one individual that decided to get himself a little bit too inebriated and for his behaviour he got arrested and escorted from the event.”

Graeme said a lot of alternative transport - including bikes - was used, and groups leaving the concert in cars had sober drivers.

“So positive kudos to everybody,” he said.

Last week police stopped what they believed to be a taxi on Beacon Point Road due to excessive speed, Graeme said.

“At the time, two passengers were in the vehicle and the driver failed a passive breath test,” he said.

“On further inspection of the vehicle, officers suspected something more sinister was afoot, as the illuminated taxi sign was duct taped to the roof of the vehicle, there was no electronic trip meter, and no Passenger Service Licence on display.” 

The 35-year-old male driver pleaded guilty and was convicted and sentenced in the Queenstown District Court: fined $1,640 ($1,000 for plying for hire, $640 for drink driving) and disqualified from driving any motor vehicle for six months.

Last week police arrested a 32-year-old male for taking videos up women’s skirts in the Wānaka CBD.

The behaviour was “highly concerning”, Graeme said.

The man appeared in the Queenstown District Court on Monday (February 2).

Graeme said a public tip-off led to the arrest of a “dynamic duo” - a 24-year-old male and 20-year-old female - for multiple instances of shoplifting between the two New World supermarkets.

The couple also appeared in the Queenstown District Court on Monday. 

A 40-year-old woman was arrested for burglary on the weekend.

“It’s one of those insecure home premise type scenarios. Another opportunist went into the AirBnB, uplifted some car keys and took the vehicle from the driveway,” he said.

“The victim was actually at the summer concert at the time.”

The coming days are expected to be particularly busy on Southern District roads, with Waitangi Weekend travel combined with the annual Burt Munro Challenge motorcycle festival in Invercargill from February 4–8.

The Burt Munro Challenge attracts several thousand participants, spectators and visitors from across New Zealand and overseas, so it will significantly increase traffic volumes throughout the wider Southern District.

To help keep people safe, Southern District Police will have dedicated road policing staff highly visible across the district, including the use of checkpoints and fatigue stops.

All road users, including motorcyclists, are urged to:

• Avoid driving or riding while tired or impaired
• Stick to posted speed limits and drive to the conditions
• Ensure vehicles and motorcycles are roadworthy
• Wear appropriate safety gear, including seatbelts and approved motorcycle protection.

Graeme advised motorists to be patient, and to call police if they see any dangerous driving.

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: Supplied