Editorial: Village is for us to enjoy

Sam Jackman, president of the Havelock North Business Association, in Papillion for a preview of the inaugural Havelock North Village Street Carnival. Photo / Warren Buckland

Havelock North is a special part of Hawke's Bay.

I am not just saying this because I live in the village, but because it has a unique quality and independent air about it. Although it is officially part of Hastings, it has also been able to carve its own separate identity as well.

This special character will be celebrated at the inaugural Village Street Carnival tomorrow. Roads will be closed and it will be a family day from 10am-3pm. This is the Havelock North worth celebrating.

Unfortunately, whenever you get youngsters gathering into the early hours of the morning, there sometimes is trouble. This is something that no one wants to see in Havelock North or any other area.

Last weekend there was a spate of early morning assaults in the village. The good thing is that police have said they will be taking a zero tolerance approach.

While this behaviour does not affect events like the Village Street Carnival or have any impact on the daytime atmosphere of Havelock North, those who do want to go out on the town at night should be able to without fear of assault.

So, good on the police for taking a hard line. The successful conviction of 18-year-old Falcon Kaine Walsh for a vicious assault on a man in the village in August should be a warning to young thugs wanting to cause trouble. It is also good to see the Havelock North Business Association working hard to find answers to the problem, which seems to occur after closing time of pubs and restaurants. Hopefully, an initiative to install more security cameras in the CBD will be a deterrent to those who want to make trouble.

Why should a small group of thugs spoil a wonderful place for the rest of us, even if it is only in the early hours of the morning?