Editorial: Young, dumb and full of beer

The move by Tauranga's Silver Birch Holiday Park to ban adults and families in favour of those who are "young, dumb and full of beer" has attracted national attention, but perhaps not the sort of publicity campsite manager Richie Robin anticipated when she told reporter Natalie Dixon that from December 29 until January 5, she has welcomed a a crowd of more than 200 under 25-year-olds to set up tents on the grounds

It would be, she said, "teenage heaven".

It could also be teenage hell, with the tents being nicknamed "Alcohol Alley".

The campsite's move has been slammed by an alcohol abuse expert concerned it's encouraging binge drinking and lacks proper supervision.

Ms Robin argues she is providing a service, because other campsites do not want crowds of youths. She says it is what the "kids" want, and argues that it will be "fun and safe".

She has security staff.

She even says parents thank her for "looking after" their kids, which begs the question why the parents couldn't look after their kids themselves.

Would I want my daughters to stay at Alcohol Alley? Hell no.

But, argues my young female colleague, if they are over 18 and I have no say, wouldn't I prefer them to be at Alcohol Alley in one place where there is a security guard, than wandering around a campsite say in Whangamata or around the Mount, where she tells me she used to hang out at New Year, and they were always "stalked by dirty old men who would come preying on the half-dressed, drunk 14-year-olds".

I am glad my daughters are spending New Year's Eve tucked up in bed under the same safe roof as me. But they are only eight and ten.

I can't keep them tucked up forever but neither do I believe it is necessary to encourage the idea that the only way to have fun is through alcohol.

Perhaps I am being old, naive and full of hope.

But I maintain not all teenagers are young, dumb and full of beer. Nor do they have to aspire to be.

Teens such as Lorde and Lydia Ko show just what you can achieve if you channel your energies in a healthier direction.

And that is not in the direction of Alcohol Alley.