Patrolling Papas rule the streets of Kaitaia

It was still early days, the man who heads Kaitaia's Friday night street patrols conceded yesterday, but Tarei Patuwairua was already seeing some encouraging signs.

'Papas on Patrol' was formed in response to an incident in the town's main street on July 5, when a mob of drunken youths abused and assaulted a number of female students from Te Rangi Aniwaniwa, and assaulted and robbed a local man who intervened.

Three weeks into the initiative, Mr Patuwairua said there had already been huge success.

On the first night the patrols had encountered 21 young people in the streets, with no signs of violence, drugs or alcohol. The second week they found eight, and last week just four (between 6.30pm and 10.30pm).

One young man who had been about to begin drinking alcohol packed up and went home when he was advised of the liquor ban.

"Even though this is still new, evidence suggests that it is working, and the parents of Kaitaia are taking the stance of Te Rangi Aniwaniwa whanau and volunteers seriously by keeping their kids at home," Mr Patuwairua said.

And there were some side benefits for those who spent cold Friday nights on the streets. Last Friday night three mums delivered hot soup and other delicious rewards. And then there were the hot roasted chickens from the Roast Shop in Commerce Street.

"When you walk past he's there waiting with a hot roasted chicken," Mr Patuwairua said.

"It's those nice gestures that make the nights enjoyable."

What was really great to see though was dads in high-viz jackets walking the streets, one of the mums saying just seeing them made her feel safer.

"That's such a profound statement for the whanau of Te Rangi Aniwaniwa and the entire Kaitaia community, because this was the initial purpose of the Papas on Patrol," Mr Patuwairua said.

"Taking part in patrolling gives each volunteer dad the opportunity to gain a personal connection to Kaitaia, but more importantly makes the Kaitaia CBD a safer place."