KEY POINTS:
New Zealand sports fans will continue to be able to indulge in the Mexican wave, as long they don't throw things.
The move to ban the activity at the remaining one-day cricket internationals in Australia this season isn't being duplicated at events on this side of the Tasman.
Andy Gollings, from security firm Red Badge, said his company had control measures in place for the Mexican wave for some time.
"It's definitely not a kill-joy situation," he said.
"The only concern we have is the throwing of things that is related to it. A lot of the stuff that's thrown is probably harmless, but it does have to come down somewhere."
Red Badge provides security at major venues nationwide, including Auckland's Eden Park and Wellington's Westpac Stadium, which is staging this weekend's International Rugby Board sevens tournament.
Mr Gollings said a key issue was the targeted throwing of items, which had led to injuries.
"All we try to do is discourage that growing," he said.
"So we have staff in the area and they will concentrate on the throwing during the wave, as opposed to the wave itself."
Eden Park general manager Murray Eade said the stadium's policy was to discourage the Mexican wave as part of providing an enjoyable but safe environment.
"If we see people throwing things, we generally collar them and they're evicted," he said.
"But if people hop up and wave their arms and don't cause a disturbance, then generally it's okay."
Measures taken at Eden Park to contain bad behaviour had included banning glassware and limiting the size of bottles.
In the past, some fans in the terraces had urinated in bottles and then thrown them up in the air.
"With a smaller container, that's a little bit more difficult to do," Mr Eade said.
Cricket Australia's ban follows a review of security for the one-day series involving Australia, New Zealand and England.
Plainclothes police will mingle with fans to help to impose the ban and video footage will be used to identify anyone who starts a wave.
Offenders will be thrown out, while anyone caught throwing an object faces a $210 ($240) on-the-spot fine.
Chief executive James Sutherland said the Mexican wave had become a blight on the game and denied authorities were going too far in stopping fans having fun.
Last month, loutish behaviour marred a match between Australia and England and led to 200 people being ejected from the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
- NZPA
