Police and promoters clash over growing summer festival concerns
The tension between law enforcement and event organizers has intensified as the policing of outdoor festivals in New Zealand has heightened. According to the authorities, the crackdown on these events is necessary to address the rampant alcohol abuse and violent incidents that often occur. However, promoters argue that this narrative is misleading and unfair, putting their events in jeopardy.
Alex Turnbull, the creator of the well-established Rhythm & Alps festival, has been facing challenges from the police in his efforts to facilitate a smooth-running event. Despite the festival’s long history with minimal disturbances, Turnbull recently had to navigate opposing views from police and health authorities at a licensing hearing. The police’s resistance to increasing alcohol sales limits profitability for festivals like Rhythm & Alps. This opposition, characterized by police arriving in force to enforce tight regulations, places undue pressure on festival organizers.
The overarching sentiment among many promoters is that the police are increasingly targeting outdoor events, making it difficult to navigate the regulations surrounding liquor licenses and alcohol sales. From small-scale shows to large multi-day festivals, promoters find themselves entangled in bureaucratic red tape. While police contend that their actions are aimed at minimizing risks associated with alcohol-related incidents at high-risk events, promoters struggle to comprehend the justification behind the stringent enforcement measures.
This conflict between police and promoters came to a head with the abrupt cancellation of the popular Juicy Fest hip-hop festival due to police opposition to its liquor license. As a result, other festival shows were postponed, impacting the broader summer events calendar. Promoters, already grappling with rising costs and sluggish ticket sales, now face the added challenge of police opposition, which threatens the viability of their events. This domino effect further exacerbates the strain on the events industry.
The fallout from these licensing disputes is felt across the festival landscape, with events like Laneway being forced to make concessions such as restricting entry for under-18 attendees. Despite previous successful events, festivals are now under heightened scrutiny, with police scrutinizing their operations based on past incidents or perceived risks. This heavy-handed approach to policing festivals places additional burdens on promoters, who rely heavily on alcohol sales for financial sustainability.
As the summer festival season unfolds, promoters are entangled in a game of regulatory roulette, navigating police opposition and the uncertainties surrounding licensing requirements. The ongoing clash between outdoor event organizers and law enforcement underscores the broader challenges facing the events industry. For promoters like David Benge, the profitability of outdoor events hinges on bar sales, making police opposition a significant obstacle to their success. Ultimately, finding a balance between ensuring public safety and supporting the events industry remains a delicate dance that both parties must navigate in the evolving landscape of New Zealand’s festival scene.