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Kia ora 2021: New Year wishes to wash the worries away
31 Dec, 2020 04:00 PM
6 minutes to read
NZ Herald
It was a world where lockdowns and let-downs were often the norm. But as a new year dawned after the coronavirus pandemic defined 2020, New Zealand was among a few nations where people were out celebrating, singing and cheering.
While celebrations for many people overseas were or will be online only, crowds of New Zealanders stood shoulder-to shoulder at festivals, in bars, and on the streets.
Most Kiwis were well-behaved last night, but police were called to Whangamatā s Blackies Cafe where thousands of teenagers had gathered, many of whom were on the roof throwing bottles.
Whangamatā riot: Teens throw bottles at police from cafe rooftop
31 Dec, 2020 10:48 AM
2 minutes to read
NZ Herald
Teenagers mounted the roof of a Whangamatā cafe on New Year s Eve, throwing bottles at police who armed themselves with shields and batons.
Auckland woman Jane Phare is on holiday in the Coromandel town with seven teenagers, including her 15-year-old son, and had ventured out to check on the teens.
She said there were thousands of teens gathered on the streets. Some had climbed onto the roof of Blackies Cafe, next to the Whangamatā Surf Club, which is about 200m from her friend s bach she was staying at.
New Zealand has been the first country in the world to welcome 2021 1 January 2021
Similar scenes to those in Auckland have been repeated in many parts of the country.
Most seem to have gone without a hitch, although riot police were called to the Whangamata Surf Club where thousands of teenagers had gathered, some on the roof throwing bottles.
Sydney has rung in 2021 with a shortened fireworks display on a vacated harbour, with police declaring their satisfaction with compliance to coronavirus-prompted public health orders.
Melbourne s fireworks were cancelled weeks ago, as were displays in Canberra, Brisbane and Adelaide.