New Year's Eve event @ The Mount CANCELLED

Due to poor weather the New Year's Eve event planned for the Mount Maunganui Main Beach is cancelled.

Fireworks will still be let off on the Tauranga side of the bridge - head to a vantage point around the Waikareao Estuary for the best view.

Why has it been cancelled?

The cancellation is primarily based on safety. The high onshore winds and exposed weather at the event site mean we cannot safely erect the stages required to put on the entertainment. As the weather is forecast to remain poor this situation is unlikely to change.

Road closures still in place

The roads north of Banks and Salisbury Avenues in Mount Maunganui will still be closed from 2pm on New Year's Day. This is to help regulate the heavy traffic flow that is still likely to occur and to help monitor the liquor-free zone. Bags will still be checked for alcohol at the road cordons and any alcohol found will be confiscated. The liquor-free zones remain in place at all times.

Police will continue to monitor activity at the Mount as planned.

Park n Ride

There will not be a Park n Ride service operating on New Year's Eve.

However, there will still be a vehicle pass issuing station from 2pm on New Year's Eve at the Park n Ride site at Waimarie Street (off Hewletts Road) for Mount residents or holidaymakers needing to get into the Mount. Before 2pm on New Year's Eve vehicle passes can be obtained from the Beach Base at Mount Drury.

$15 buses

The Bayline Coaches NYE bus service to Mount Maunganui is also cancelled. People who have purchased bus tickets should return to the outlet where the ticket was purchased to arrange reimbursement or phone Bayline Coaches on 07 578 3113 and leave your contact details.

Tauranga City Council apologises for any inconvenience this cancellation may cause. We hope you have a safe and happy New Year.

Police safety messages

The Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander, Inspector Mike Clement, is urging all Bay of Plenty residents and visitors to take extra care in the coming days, including New Years Eve, due to the bad weather.

"The region has seen a great deal of rain in the past couple of days and this is forecast to continue. Our roads are already sodden and driving conditions are more dangerous than usual. Please take extra care out on the roads and drive to the conditions."

Inspector Clement is also asking people to be sensible about their New Year's Eve celebrations.

"Whilst the New Years Eve event at Mt Maunganui has been cancelled, we know that people will still want to celebrate in some way.

"Plan your night, make sure you have a sober driver, and most importantly, look after yourself and look after your mates - make your New Year one to remember and not one to forget or regret."

Inspector Clement is also issuing a special request to parents and caregivers - "know where your children are, who they are with and what they are doing."

Inspector Clement says Western Bay of Plenty Police will still be out in force around Mt Maunganui and the Western Bay of Plenty on New Year's Eve, despite the cancellation of the Mt Maunganui event.

"It is our job to prevent crime and crash and ensure the safety of our community and we will be very visible and actively policing alcohol-related issues tomorrow night to achieve that. We don't make any apologies for taking a hard line in this area if it means we can reduce the impact.

"This is a busy time for Police, but it is now business as usual for us every year. We plan to be busy during this period and we have the people and resources in place to prevent and manage issues and we simply get on with the job that needs to be done.

"Despite the bad weather, people will still see Police out and about in all areas in an effort to reduce alcohol-related harm and to try and keep people safe."

Police also wish to remind people that the liquor bans in place for the festive season remain in place.

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