Why did 18 police officers attend a super-chill summer show?
They arrived in hats, uniforms, and fluorescent vests, then stayed for the entire event. Is this a sign of things to come?
It was a hot day, a nice day, a perfect day. In Tauranga’s Wharepai Domain, I was in my happy place. The sun was shining, the music was loud, the drinks were cold and the food trucks were placing fried eggs on top of brisket buns. As Kora warmed things up ahead of the first performance by The Roots here in 20 years, I headed to the bar.
On my way back balancing two chilled beers, I encountered a different vibe. Instead of happy festival punters, I walked into a wall of uniformed police officers. They entered the festival site then stood in semi-formation near the stage. In total, I counted 18 of them – more than I’ve seen at any other outdoor music event, ever.
It felt ominous, like they’d received notice that something was about to go down. So I put down my drinks, grabbed my phone and snapped this quick photo…
Up until that point, the show had been friendly and chill. I didn’t encounter a single bad vibe. Friends danced in the sun. Hugs were shared in the front rows. There were no problems that I could see, and yet those police stayed there surveying the 4000-strong crowd for the entire evening. Later, they stood at the gate, watching us depart.
Why were they there? Great question. I’d love to answer it. Yet, when I messaged the NZ Police media team to ask was going on that day, why so many police officers were there, what issues they’d encountered and whether they’d made any arrests, I was told they wouldn’t respond to requests from “niche publications”. LOL.
(Considering the state of local media, rest assured I have registered my disapproval of this completely ridiculous stance.)
So, instead, I guess I’ll have to try and fill in some blanks. There were, from what I can see, no issues at Summer Haze. This report from the Bay of Plenty Times contains only rave reviews. “An incredible band to be able to witness,” is how local singer Hollie Smith describes the day. A “once in a lifetime” concert is what another fan says.
But, behind the scenes, tension between police and promoters is bubbling away. Just before Christmas, a major local promoter cancelled four Juicy Fest dates – including one in Tauranga – and postponed their Timeless Summer Tour over what he called an “intentional” effort to stop the tour. In Auckland, he claimed police had pressured the North Harbour Stadium to cancel their contract.
They also said this:
“Juicy Fest has faced tough opposition from authorities and police in running our event in New Zealand”.
On the same day Juicy Fest pulled its shows, Laneway revealed it was recalling all tickets sold to those aged between 16 and 18 over its own licensing issues. Hearing documents reveal police opposed the festival’s liquor licensing application over multiple issues, including underage intoxication, barriers and security.
So, some thoughts.
Are police cracking down on local music festivals?
Are they putting on a show of force to make sure music festivals know bad behaviour won’t be tolerated?
Have they decided headlines like these need to stop?
Did they think the same kind of thing was going to happen at The Roots show?
Is that why they sent 18 uniformed officers there?
Or were they bored and just wanted to enjoy the show?
Again, I’d love to tell you, but my lil’ Substack is too “niche” to get those answers.
There might be another way. In their response, NZ Police told me I’m free to make an Official Information Act request. So that’s exactly what I’ve done, asking for all communications regarding Summer Haze, Juicy Fest, the Timeless Summer Tour, and any other music festival the police plan on attending this summer to be sent my way.
So, instead of sending me a quick statement about why NZ Police sent 18 officers to a chill summer show, I’m now going to take up much more of their time as they collate every internal email, text message, phone call and meeting note for me to scour through to get the answers I’m after.
Official Information Act requests need to be responded to within 20 working days. So, by the time Laneway comes around, I should have my answers. And so will you.
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Bonus beat.
Why were there so many police there? Institutional racism.
Yeah would be keen to find out. In my memory though there was always a decent police presence at BDO, although they didn’t all stand around in a big group the whole time.
I’ve worked at many events and festivals in both NZ and Australia and this does seem a bit odd. Keen to see if it’s related to the refusal of licences for Juicy Fest, or a wider change in approach to public events.