Police made several arrests for breaches of the liquor ban over the Alexandra Blossom Festival weekend (September 26-28), despite the alcohol restriction zone being extended south to Raes Junction.

It’s the busiest two weekends of the year for the town, and the liquor ban will also be in place for this coming weekend’s New Zealand Merino Shears (October 3-4).

New Zealand Police reported fighting and serious assaults had taken place in the carpark outside the Stadium Tavern following the shearing competition in 2024.

Central Otago District Council responded earlier this year by extending its liquor ban south into the Clutha District, to give police extra tools to combat increased disorder on the highways.

The bylaw started in Cromwell and included the back road between Millers Flat and Roxburgh Dam where groups of car enthusiasts met as part of annual Blossom Festival celebrations.

The ‘Around The Mountain’ trip involves dozens of carloads from Dunedin, Balclutha, Gore and Invercargill which stop and socialise on the highway at various towns along the way.

In 2024 there was vandalism of the Millers Flat toilets, an arson of a vehicle at Raes Junction, and people urinating on Roxburgh street frontage properties, much to the disgust of the locals.

Police stopping those in the ‘Around The Mountain’ convoy on the Roxburgh Dam in recent years. Photo: Supplied

Sergeant Adam Elder said police met the vehicle convoy at Raes Junction on Saturday (September 27), providing attendees with guidance and education regarding the liquor ban.

“Throughout the Teviot Valley, police deployed staff at key locations to enforce the liquor ban and discourage any anti-social behaviour.”

He said the majority of participants were well-behaved, however, there were isolated incidents of disorder at Millers Flat and later in the evening in Cromwell.

Several alcohol infringement offence notices were issued, and one individual was arrested at the Blossom Festival in relation to a disorderly incident.

Sergeant Elder said the introduction of the liquor ban was having a positive impact in reducing alcohol-related harm, particularly across the Teviot Valley.

Meanwhile, Red Frogs NZ, which usually has a presence in Pioneer Park on the Friday night of Blossom Festival to assist drunken teens, decided to relocate their services after significantly reduced incidents in 2024.

Increased security in the park in recent years had also worked to deter young people from congregating to drink alcohol.

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