Late-night antics an eye opener

Sir Geoffrey Palmer. Photo / Mark Mitchell

They weren't the typical early-hours revellers. A group of the country's most experienced legal minds joined late-night party people for a first-hand ride amid the binge-drinking culture.

"There were scenes of chaos and disorder," said Sir Geoffrey Palmer, president of the Law Commission. "I was surprised by it. We all were. I did not realise the extent of the disorder and the burden on police resources."

Sir Geoffrey and other members of the five-strong commission spent several nights and early mornings in 17 town and city centres to gauge the level of problems caused by drinkers.

What they saw, Sir Geoffrey says, was eye opening.

"In one night in Courtenay Place [Wellington] 17 people were arrested. One person had been seriously hurt - but he did not know how or by whom."

The commissioners travelled the length and breadth of the country for the research - including Dunedin, Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Christchurch, Auckland and Whangarei.

Sir Geoffrey said most New Zealanders did not realise what went on because they were "tucked up in bed and the councils clean up before they wake".

He said police were using a huge amount of time and resources trying to control the drinkers. "They take 20,000 into custody every year - an extraordinary number."

Asked if the commissioners' shock at the scenes was a reflection of coming from a different generation to those out in the early hours, Sir Geoffrey said age did not appear to be a factor.

"There were drinkers in their teens up into their 30s and 40s," he said.

"These scenes are not ones that a civilised society can relish."

Police Association vice-president Chris Cahill said people did not appreciate how chaotic it was late at night in many cities.

"Police have to actually deal with the violence, disorder and crashes caused by drunks. We are spending an increasing amount of time and energy dealing with alcohol, when we'd far rather be able to use those resources to combat serious crime."

Lowering the drinking age in 1999 was not the cause of all the problems, "but it certainly made things significantly worse". Stuart Dye