Red Frogs NZ is launching a school safety pilot in Central Otago this December, ahead of its 10th annual New Year’s response in Queenstown and Wānaka.

The non-profit, which works alongside Queenstown Lakes District Council, police and St John, is known for its on-the-ground volunteer presence during New Year’s celebrations – particularly in youth hotspots like Wānaka and Queenstown.

Each summer, thousands of teenagers – many underage and unsupervised – travel from across the South Island to mark the New Year in the Lakes District.

While many enjoy the festivities safely, a significant number experience alcohol or drug-related harm.

Last year, an incident involving around 300 teens took place at Wānaka’s Dinosaur Park on January 2. It occurred after the coordinated safety response had ended, and agencies have since signalled plans to boost their presence in Wānaka this New Year.

Read more: Multiple assaults at Dinosaur Park

Red Frogs has supported more than 100,000 young people since its first Queenstown Lakes response. More than 1,200 individuals have received direct care – including being walked home, having emergency services contacted, or being monitored until sober.

This summer, more than 60 Red Frogs volunteers from New Zealand and Australia will be based out of the Lake Wānaka Centre and the Queenstown Memorial Hall.

Red Frogs NZ media spokesperson Shannon Thomson said the organisation has received new funding from Health NZ’s Alcohol Harm Prevention Community Action Fund. 

The funding will support the development of a school-based safety programme to be piloted in Central Otago, and then rolled out from South Canterbury south in 2026.

“This is about helping communities prepare, especially parents, so they understand the local environment and how to best support teen safety over New Year,” Shannon said.

PHOTO: Supplied