Around three serious assaults were reported after a massive brawl broke out at Wanaka’s dinosaur park on New Year’s Day.
It has been understood Christchurch students from rival schools were among the fighting teens.
Otago Lakes Area police responded to the mass disturbance at around midnight, after receiving reports that about 300 youths were gathered and multiple fights had broken out.
As well as the serious assaults, which involved young people being knocked unconscious, a number of other minor assaults were also reported.
Peter Sutherland, owner of The Moorings, a hotel which neighbours the park, said his guests were asked for help by the friend of a boy who was beaten unconscious on the street.
The boy and his friend, who were understood to be from Southland, were being bullied and beaten by a group of boys from Christchurch.
The brave guests helped them escape and were taken to their families and police.
Sutherland said the days leading up to New Year’s Day were “superbly run”, but once the organised festivities had finished up it turned into a disaster.
Police were yet to make any arrests or refer anyone to youth services.
Photo Credit: Earth Trekker
