Mayor plans to close camping ground
Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper said that the Waikato River will be closed if there is further unruly behavior. Waikato River is a free public camping ground. Police are seeking witnesses to two assaults on New Year’s Eve at Reid’s Farm on Huka Falls Rd north of Taupo.
On that night, drunken youths which has a fire ban on the site and lit a bonfire and some of them threw bottles at a fire engine when it arrived. Reid’s Farm is open to campers only between October and April but was under threat of closure after the incidents last summer.
Mr Cooper said Taupo District decided to make the available site but with a caretaker and more restrictions in place. Mr Cooper on the Reid’s Farm described as an iconic and beautiful spot where there had been trouble until 2 or 3 years ago. The decision on its future as a camping ground would be made during winter.
Taupo police said they had and the Fire Service were called out at 11pm on New Years to Reid’s Farm which has a number of youths from around the North Island had gathered. During the argument, a woman, 20 year old was attacked and struck with weapons includes bottles and a knife. She received in her arm a cut and injuries to her hands and suffered concussion also.
Mr Jeurissen said police were seeking information about the identity of the people involved in the assaults. They are seeking information about a red two door utility vehicle and silver or grey two door utility vehicle. Both were similar to a Ford Courier or a Toyota Hilux.
