Rhythm and Vines changes likely after New Year riot

The site of the BW campground at New Year. Photo / Supplied

Rhythm and Vines music festival organisers say they expect changes for the better after this summer's mayhem at BW campgrounds on New Year's Eve.

R&V co-founder Hamish Pinkham said he believed any changes made to the alcohol policy at the popular campgrounds will keep punters safer and make the festival more sustainable.

"It is quite early, and we are still working through the debriefing process,"
Mr Pinkham said.

"But in the long run I think any changes will be for the best.

"Our priority is the safety and security of our punters and we want to take a lead on curbing the drinking culture.

"We don't want to be the fun police but the safety and sustainability of the festival is paramount to us.

"We want people to be excited and happy about being in Gisborne for New Year, and everyone leaving with a positive experience is our No.1 goal."

BW event organiser Toby Burrows agreed, and said he did not want to let a two-hour incident on the last night overshadow the many successes of the week.

"A lot of time and resources are invested into monitoring and controlling behaviour, and obviously everything is up for review following every event.

"We are looking forward to working through what might need to be changed or introduced to mitigate the risks of unrest occurring in a similar fashion again," he said.

Despite the unrest at the beachfront campground on New Year's Eve, Mr Pinkham believes this year was one of R&V's most successful yet.

Meanwhile, police have clarified that one of the people arrested during the "riot" on New Year's Eve at the BW campground in Watson Park is from Gisborne and was an employee of the BW festival.

Initially police indicated that no one from Gisborne would face the court as a result of the mayhem.

"A Gisborne woman who worked for the BW organisation was arrested during the riot," said Senior Sergeant Freddy van Duuren.

"Cans were thrown in her direction by the rioters and allegedly threw them back, for which she was arrested."

Two men from Tolaga Bay, north of the city, were arrested on December 31 at BW.

One was charged with disorderly behaviour and the other with trespass after he had earlier been ejected from the campground.

It is not clear this morning if the disorderly behaviour charge related to the BW riot. Eighteen people from around the country have appeared before the district court on charges including assault, assault with a blunt instrument, resisting police, disorderly behaviour or trespass. All have been adjourned to later dates and some cases have been transferred to their home towns.