Wanaka police will increase their presence in the upcoming week as another busy New Year’s period approaches.

Concerns have been raised over young people’s behaviour during New Years in Wanaka in recent years and, as well as police, volunteer groups will be out and about to support safe behaviour. 

Some accommodation providers have also changed their booking rules to try to reduce the risk of underage and unmonitored drinking as the result of past situations. 

Police in Wanaka are preparing for a similar number of party goers in town as previous years, numbers, which a council staffer said last year were “significant”.

The response will be amped up: “Police will be a visible presence on the roads, in the main centres and at holiday hot spots, including 37 additional staff,” Wanaka area response senior sergeant Miriam Chittenden said.

Miriam said the police message for New Year’s Eve is simple: “We want people to have a good time but we also want everyone to stay safe.”

The police say they want people to have a good time but also stay safe this holiday season.

Volunteer group Red Frogs, which provide support and a ‘chill out zone’ in central Wanaka during the nights of December 29-31, described the group’s response in Wanaka as “high risk”.

“Red Frogs’ response in Wanaka and Queenstown is quite different to our other responses as it is not a confined event such as you would find at a music festival and involves many underage patrons,” Red Frogs Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes media coordinator Shannon Thompson said.

The Albert Town campground recently put restrictions in place to restrict unruly behaviour by young campers. There is now a minimum age of 21, a ban on glass bottles, spirits and off-road motorcycles, and a limit on the number of young campers.

Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park manager Natalie Ward said while they communicated the new restrictions about the Albert Town site (which is managed by Lakeview owner Rudy Sanders) they have received “quite a few” calls from groups of young people who don’t meet the requirements.

“Security will be on the gate on both sides [the Clutha River and Hāwea River sides], and we’ve told them if you don’t meet the requirements you can’t stay.”

Natalie said the campground had approached the Wanaka Community Board and the police to alert them to the possibility of groups of young people being turned out. 

“Where are they going to go? I’m not entirely sure where that is,” she said.

A police spokesperson told the Wanaka App if you are a parent or caregiver and there are young people drinking at your place, make sure they are supervised at all times: Parents and caregivers could face fines of up to $2,000 if they supply alcohol to under-age and unsupervised teenagers.

“Remember, you can’t supply minors with alcohol unless you have the permission of their parent or legal guardian.”

And all adults getting festive with some drinks over New Years must have a plan. 

“Please look out for your mates and plan ahead to make sure you have a safe way home at the end of the night.” Miriam said. “If you’re drinking, organise a sober driver or make use of public transport or courtesy coaches.”

A number of accommodation providers the Wanaka App spoke to were pleased to see rooms fill up over the holiday period.

“We’re just now starting to get a slow build up, and it’s looking great for Christmas,” Edgewater Hotel duty manager Dave Keimig told the Wanaka App.

A spokesperson for the Wanaka Top Ten Holiday Park said bookings have picked up during the past few days, and from December 27 the campground is “full house for everything” through early January, with lots of caravans and campervans.

“We’ve known for a while that it was going to be busy, and it’s good to see,” she said.

PHOTOS: Wanaka App