Police urge end to youth drinking after tough New Year's Eve

Police who dealt with drunken youths on New Year's Eve say it is time to find new ways of celebrating that do not involve excessive drinking.

Alcohol-fuelled fights, disorderly behaviour and attacks on police and firefighters marred the otherwise well-behaved New Year celebrations at popular spots around the country.

A crowd of 500 turned on police and firefighters at a Wanaka camping ground after emergency services came to put out a car fire.

Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said a fire appliance was pelted with bottles and people climbed on to the truck when it arrived at the Albert Town Camping Ground to deal with the fire.

The crowd damaged three patrol cars that followed as back up, throwing bottles through the windows.

An officer suffered minor shoulder injuries during an arrest.

Up to 80 per cent of the 52 people arrested in Wanaka were aged 16 to 20 and under the influence of "too much alcohol", said Mr Nicholson.

He said a number of 16-year-olds, "all heavily intoxicated", were arrested for fighting, disorderly behaviour and assaulting police.

A 17-year-old from Invercargill was arrested and bailed for breaching the liquor ban. Within 30 minutes he was picked up for drink-driving.

Mr Nicholson said he was concerned at the extent to which alcohol played a part in people's entertainment.

"Our Kiwi booze culture is very harmful to our young people and community at large ...

"We urgently need to discourage this type of behaviour and encourage young people to look for more constructive ways to enjoy themselves."

He said the alcohol consumption that happened on New Year's Eve was reflected "to a greater or lesser extent" around New Zealand most weekends.

"Young people really struggle to find constructive ways of doing things without getting [drunk]. Drink and drugs is just part of their lifestyle."

Mr Nicholson said changing the youth drinking culture took more than just police enforcement.

"It's addressing the culture and attitudinal issues from a younger age and having young kids brought up with a different approach to it."

Constable Geoff Medland of Mangawhai said large groups of youths flooded into the holiday town and police were kept busy enforcing the liquor ban and breaking up brawls.

"We were taking alcohol off 13-year-olds who were wandering by themselves."

Alcohol Advisory Council chief executive Dr Mike McAvoy said Mr Nicholson was "absolutely right" about the drinking culture.

"The drinking culture is we set out to get pissed, and those are the attitudes and behaviours we are desperately trying to change."

He said Paihia, once noted for New Year's Eve disorder, had turned its image around by encouraging a family environment and providing entertainment and food.

A private member's bill to return the drinking age to 20 will go to a parliamentary committee this year.

Dr McAvoy said the age of drinking had little to do with the problem because those younger than 18 were still getting access to alcohol.

Alac would this year carry out more "stings" to catch liquor shops supplying liquor to young people.

"It will really begin to bite the economics of selling alcohol to young people."

It was more difficult to combat the serious problem of adults supplying children with alcohol, said Dr McAvoy.

"This is where society has to ask, 'Do we want to put our kids at risk like this?' and that is what we're trying to change: the attitude of people and the way we give young people large amounts of alcohol and - surprise, surprise - they get into trouble."