30 boyracers arrested in Christchurch

Christchurch police have arrested 30 boyracers who were part of a large disorderly gathering in the north of the city.

Police reported 140 people were blocking the road on the northern motorway at Chaney's, north of Christchurch.

A Christchurch police spokesman told NZPA the incident was part of a boyracer gathering.

Canterbury road policing manager Al Stewart said the 30 arrested would be charged with unlawful assembly - punishable by up to a year in prison.

"The group of about 140 blocked the onramp with their vehicles and created a danger to other road users due to their driving behaviour and general disorderly presence," Mr Stewart said.

Boyracers had been given every chance to moderate their behaviour, through fines and vehicle seizures, but still had not got the message, Mr Stewart said.

The incident followed the implementation of a new council bylaw targeted at boyracers under which drivers caught repeatedly "cruising" the city's main streets can be fined up to $1000.

The Christchurch City Council is the first in New Zealand to exercise new powers under a law change last year that enabled local bodies to control, restrict or ban cruising.

The bylaw came into effect on July 1.

- NZPA