Questions have been raised over an apparent lack of enforcement at an event where it was advertised people would gather to smoke drugs.
J Day took place at Tauranga's Yatton Park on Saturday with about 40 people lighting up cannabis joints, bongs and cones. J Day is a global day of protest against cannabis prohibition which included rallies in 10 centres around New Zealand.
Tauranga Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Ken Evans said: "A group of people announced... they were going to break the law, by smoking cannabis, and the law enforcement appear to decide not to bother. The question would be why?"
Western Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton said police monitored the event "to ensure public order was maintained".
"Police patrols were present in Yatton Park and surrounding areas throughout the day. There were a large number of families present using the park. There were no complaints received, nor offences disclosed."
