Crate Day sees spike in violence
A day encouraging drinkers to mark the first weekend of summer with crates of beer has been labelled ‘‘dangerous and irresponsible’’ for contributing to a spike in family violence.
Crate Day was launched by The Rock radio station in 2009 as a publicity stunt. It has since been embraced by the liquor industry, with many suppliers creating crates of ready-to-drink premixed alcohol in addition to beer.
Police data shows family harm incidents on previous Crate Day weekends were 20 to 30 per cent higher compared to other first weekends of the month throughout the year.
In 2019, there were 1193 call outs for the weekend of December 1 (565) and 2 (628).
This compared to 933 – the yearly average for first weekends of the month.
In 2018, there were 1010 call outs on the weekend of December 1 (484) and 2 (526), compared to 832 for other monthly first weekends that year.
The day with the highest number of call outs for family harm was New Year’s Day with 711 in 2018, 755 in 2019.
Women’s Refuge chief executive Dr Ang Jury said excessive drinking was a factor in the ‘‘vast majority’’ of domestic violence incidents.
‘‘What alcohol does is it loosens inhibitions and raises tensions and can therefore make things worse.’’
Heavy drinking would increase the risk of committing or being a victim to domestic violence, Jury said.
‘‘I think the problem with things like Crate Day is that this is an
Dr Ang Jury
Women’s Refuge chief executive
explicit encouragement to get off your face.’’
Crate Day created ‘‘obvious risk’’ for sexual abuse and assault, she said.
‘‘Over indulgence in alcohol – and I’m not the fun police – does lead to increased risk.’’
Christchurch Hospital doctor Scott Pearson said the number of alcohol-related injuries seen in the emergency department doubled on Crate Day, compared with an average weekend in December. Comparing the most recent Saturday with the two previous Crate Days, there was a five-fold increase in people going to ED for alcoholrelated issues.
Injuries from dangerous drinking on crate day included those from associated violence and falls – such as lacerations, broken and twisted ankles, cuts from walking on broken glass and facial fractures.
The Rock’s content manager, Brad King, said Crate Day was not sponsored or owned by The Rock and previous campaigns for the day promoted themessage ‘‘that this day is about sharing a crate with your mates at your place’’.
‘‘The Rock doesn’t condone irresponsible alcohol consumption, public nuisance or binge drinking,’’ King said.
One hundred photos of summers past feature in a new exhibition – but the identities of the people in them are a mystery.
Snapped! Summer Holidays in Aotearoa opens today at the Museum of Transport and Technology (Motat) in Auckland.
It showcases 100 photographs taken from the 1920s to the 1960s.
The origins of the photographs are unknown, and the museum is hoping visitors can put names to faces.
The collection has been recently digitised from a selection of donated photo albums, and only a few handwritten notes hint at its origins.
Motat’s library and archives manager Simon Wetherill has been leading the digitisation process.
‘‘The photographs show us how the traditional Kiwi summer holiday experience evolved throughout the decades,’’ he said.
‘‘From beaches to baches, sausage sizzles and backyard cricket, a lot has remained the same, while aspects of transport and technology have changed to be almost unrecognisable to a younger generation.’’
The photographs feature people fishing off a wharf, caravanning around the country, and sunbathing.
‘‘I think the problem with things like Crate Day is that this is an explicit encouragement to get off your face.’’