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New Zealanders build island in bid to avoid alcohol ban | New Zealanders build island in bid to avoid alcohol ban |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A group of New Zealanders has constructed a sand island in coastal waters, seemingly in a creative attempt to avoid a ban on drinking in public places. | |
The group built the structure at low tide in the Tairua estuary on the Coromandel peninsula on Sunday afternoon, reports said. | The group built the structure at low tide in the Tairua estuary on the Coromandel peninsula on Sunday afternoon, reports said. |
They then installed a picnic table and ice box for drinks. | They then installed a picnic table and ice box for drinks. |
Locals joked that they were in "international waters" and thus exempt from an official liquor ban. | |
The group drank into the night on New Year's Eve, watching the fireworks, reported New Zealand website stuff.co.nz - and the construction was still intact on Monday morning. | |
A ban on public drinking is in force in Coromandel over the New Year period and those violating the ban face a fine of $250 (£130; US$180) or arrest. | A ban on public drinking is in force in Coromandel over the New Year period and those violating the ban face a fine of $250 (£130; US$180) or arrest. |
But authorities seemed to be taking the initiative in light-hearted spirit. | But authorities seemed to be taking the initiative in light-hearted spirit. |
"That's creative thinking - if I had known [about it] I probably would have joined them," said local police commander Inspector John Kelly when told about the sand island. | "That's creative thinking - if I had known [about it] I probably would have joined them," said local police commander Inspector John Kelly when told about the sand island. |
The images were posted in a local Facebook group, Tairua ChitChat, by David Saunders. | The images were posted in a local Facebook group, Tairua ChitChat, by David Saunders. |
Mr Saunders told the BBC: "It was great to see some Kiwis having a bit of fun." | |
But a well-known community organiser Noddy Watts said the ban was not working and was simply resulting in swathes of arrests. | But a well-known community organiser Noddy Watts said the ban was not working and was simply resulting in swathes of arrests. |
He said the police were "dealing with drunk teens". | He said the police were "dealing with drunk teens". |
"That's not what they are there for. That's what parents are there for," he said, according to the New Zealand Herald. | "That's not what they are there for. That's what parents are there for," he said, according to the New Zealand Herald. |
"The police and St John were getting frustrated with the result and said it has to change," said Mr Watts according to the New Zealand Herald. | "The police and St John were getting frustrated with the result and said it has to change," said Mr Watts according to the New Zealand Herald. |
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