Security boost for New Year event

Security will be bolstered to ensure the first New Year’s family-friendly event at Taranaki’s iconic annual inner city light show goes smoothly.

This week the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) announced the Lights All Night New Year’s Eve celebration would be held at Pukekura Park as part of the Festival of Lights (FOL).

The feature of the night would be live music on the Hatchery Lawn from bands Dtomp, Ed Pool and The Slacks from 7.30pm through until midnight.

While there is a liquor ban in place in the park, from 7pm to 7am, exemptions are in place in areas where entertainment has been arranged. The summer festival has been tarnished at times during the years by bad boozy behaviour but the council’s recreation and culture manager Teresa Turner said measures had been put in place to prevent any unruly behaviour on the night.

‘‘NPDC has liaised with the police about the evening. We’ll be beefing up security on New Year’s Eve,’’ Turner said. ‘‘We’ll have extra security guards on patrol and we have more volunteers as well this season.

‘‘We’ve been planning this for some time and have plans in place for New Year’s Eve. The safety of visitors is of paramount importance.’’

The festival’s 17 lighting displays would also be kept on until midnight, there would be activities and an early countdown for the kids, glow lawn bowls and a silent disco for adults.

Turner said the council was expecting a great crowd to see in the New Year in the park.

‘‘NPDC has had requests for something on New Year’s Eve so we’ve put together a fantastic night with events for kids and adults.’’

Foodies would also be catered for on the night with the introduction of ‘‘Light Bites’’ where a selection of local food trucks would be on hand at the festival hub at the Bellringer Pavilion carpark.

Taranaki area commander Inspector Keith Borrell confirmed police had consulted with council, and officers would also be present at the event.

‘‘Police have extra staff rostered to cover New Year’s Eve policing, the Festival Of Lights is a yearly event and as per previous NYE FOL events staff will be in the general area as normal for NYE,’’ Borrell said in written statement.