Pay for police time call

New Year's Eve revellers will cost police at least $48,000 this year, and some want to see event organisers making a contribution to the costs.

Information provided to the Wairarapa Times-Age by Wairarapa Police show last year between 14 and 68 police officers from Wairarapa and Wellington, including the traffic alcohol group and highway patrol, were deployed to police Masterton, beaches around Castlepoint and the La De Da Festival in Martinborough on December 30, 31 and January 1.

The New Zealand Police Association estimates a police constable earns an average of $35 an hour, which based on last year's staff numbers puts the cost of policing over new year at at least $48,300, not including overtime or allowances.

Senior Sergeant Carolyn Watson said there would be slightly fewer officers on this year, but still a "significant" increase on usual weekend or event staffing levels.

Ms Watson estimates up to 30 staff will be at La De Da on the 30th, and up to 45 on New Year's Eve. The only comparable Wairarapa event in terms of staff numbers would be Toast Martinborough.

Asked if she would like to see festival organisers contribute to the cost of policing and emergency services, she said it was a matter for legislators.

NZ Police Association president Greg O'Connor said large events like La De Da took policing resources away from other areas. Mr O'Connor said profit-making events which rely on police to maintain order and peace should be able to make a financial contribution to staffing it.

Events should be considered on an individual basis and assessed based on the logistical support needed to ensure the event is safely run - there is currently no mechanism in the law to allow event organisers to make a contribution to policing costs.

La De Da festival director Josh Mossman said he had a positive relationship with Wairarapa Police and their presence at the festival discouraged bad behaviour.

Mr Mossman said in two years there had never been an arrest at the festival site, and they were primarily there to enforce the liquor ban outside the gates and back up security guards during the more serious incidents.

He said La De Da shifts people from other parts of Wellington and Wairarapa, and the shift in resourcing reflected that. He said ticketholders were citizens and taxpayers and should not have to pay again for policing.

"I'm 100 per cent opposed to police invoicing commercial operators such as myself for time spent at events. I see it as the police's duty to be at an event to protect the public."

Mr Mossman said La De Da employs a security guard for every 100 to 150 ticketholders, and provide police attending the event with food vouchers and hot drinks, a secure base to work from, and electricity.