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Police say widely advertised parties are a "recipe for disaster" but they are legally powerless to prevent such events occurring.
An extensive statement was issued by Waikato police yesterday after hundreds of people turned up to a Te Awamutu party on the back of an open invitation text message sent throughout the district. Police were aware of the text invitations before the party and appealed to the host family to cancel it but their advice was ignored.
Hamilton Senior Sergeant Dave Simes said he was disappointed in the parents of the 16-year-old girl who threw the party.
"Police met with the parents on three occasions to warn them it was widely known large numbers of young people had text messages about the party and it was likely to get out of control."
More than 200 people attended the party, which was well out of control when police arrived about 10.30pm on Saturday, he said.
"Due to the numbers involved, levels of intoxication, lack of control and fighting, police attempted to move the party-goers on but were abused and had bottles thrown at them.
"Officers removed party-goers and held the area while awaiting reinforcements while some groups began throwing bottles at each other, on the road and at nearby properties."
Staff were called from Otorohanga, Te Kuiti, Cambridge, Ngaruawahia and Hamilton to help restore order.
Seven men were arrested on a variety of charges including disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest and possession of offensive weapons.
Mr Simes said parents needed to be aware that parties involving text invitations were a recipe for disaster and more thought needed to be given to potential consequences.
Similar incidents in other parts of the country had illustrated some of the dire outcomes that could unfold. In May, 16-year-olds Hannah Rossiter and Jane Young died after being struck by a car at a Christchurch party which spun out of control. The party was referred to as a "text around" one.
Waikato police recently dealt with about $15,000 worth of property damage at a new subdivision in Hamilton following another open-invitation text.
Police national headquarters spokesman Jon Nielson said police could not do much more than issue warnings in cases where safety was of concern. Only "strong advice" could be given to organisers of private events but there was no legal mechanism to stop a party before it got under way, he said.
If police were aware liquor was being sold illegally, the event could be shut down but this could only occur once the illegal activity had happened, he said.
"If you've got a private gathering that starts outside and degenerates like it did in Dunedin [after the Undie 500], it's very difficult.
"We are there as police to enforce the law. That's all we can do. It's a bit like answering a cellphone in your car. There's no law against it but we strongly urge people to think before they do it."
- Additional reporting NZPA
