Now that the Tauranga City Council-run New Year's Eve celebrations in Mount Maunganui have been axed, SunLive has asked the mayoral candidates for their positions on the matter.

Candidates were asked what role, if any, they saw council playing in the city's NYE celebrations, and how their council would ensure the safety of residents and visitors during the holiday period.

Mayoral candidates have given their view on Tauranga's council-run New Year's Eve celebrations. File Photo.

Despite many people having already voted by post on Wednesday, there is still time for undecided voters to drop their papers off to a ballot box, either at the Council or a local library.

These were the responses from the candidates:

Larry Baldock

The council's decision, coming as it is just before an election, is highly suspect. There's no reason for their decision to be left so late. Any new council coming in has very little time to do anything about the celebrations for this year. In terms of next year's celebrations, we'll have to look at what happens this year and go from there.

We obviously have a role to minimise any bad behaviour at the Mount. We can't return to the days of old. But first and foremost it's the police that are responsible for safety. We need to work with them, because we are a popular holiday destination for all sorts. I think councils should always listen to the advice they receive from police.

Greg Brownless

I'd like to see entertainment similar to what was previously provided, catering for family groups and sensible revellers at the planned budget. I fear that this last minute decision to cancel the beach celebrations may have the reverse effect and lead to more trouble. I can't understand why the authorities previously told Council entertainment was needed to control the crowds, but now seem to say the opposite.

Ideally the Police and Courts should crack down hard on troublemakers so that the peaceful majority can enjoy a New Year's Eve tradition. If there are things we are not being told about last year's event I believe the Police should be upfront and tell the community about them clearly so we can understand.

Quite frankly the Courts need to play their part too and hand out tough sentences for any kind of assault.

Hori BOP

Where is our city's imagination? Our sense of adventure? Our thirst for celebration? On the stroke of midnight at New Year, as your new Mayor, I'll be rocketing down the flanks of Mauao on the world's biggest iwi-approved waterslide, my mayoral chains lit up with neon and strategically-placed sparklers adorning my body. I'll burst out onto the stage in the middle of the Main Beach just as Ozzy Osbourne, Beyonce and Kiri Te Kanawa finish their set.

Safety won't be an issue - I've talked to the Mexican government, who will loan us a bit of their new wall, which we'll use to seal off the Mount Maunganui peninsula. Anyone inside our walls who isn't spending at least 40 minutess of each hour head-banging and hip-hopping will be kicked out and forced to spend the rest of the night in our Matua Anti-Fun Facility (MAFF). Should be a hoot.

Kelvin Clout

It has simply become too risky and costly for council to put on a NYE event at Mount Main Beach. I propose to beef up our family-friendly event at the CBD waterfront and I support the U18 alcohol event at ASB Arena. TCC should invest in a decent fireworks display at 9.00pm for the families, and midnight for other revellers.

TCC is now budgeting to spend the most we ever have on crowd control, security, fencing, lighting and communications to quell any trouble. Police numbers are also increasing this year, so I feel we are doing everything we can to minimise the risk of violence and sexual assaults. It is also pleasing to note that we are supporting literally hundreds of exciting and safe events over the entire summer season.

Murray Guy

Specifically for NYE, this is a community celebration that takes place in the public domain. The Council must play a key role in determining 'the 'event types' and consenting processes. It is preferable that Council resist the urge to manage the event as that is 'well outside their skill sets and role'.

In partnership with Key stakeholder such as Mount Mainstreet, Police, security and related experts, I would ensure on the ground infrastructure enables the Police and security teams to do their job effectively. Risk can only be mitigated, NOT removed.

Max Mason

Even with the main event being cancelled the Council still has a duty of care to work with Police and St John to mitigate the risk of disorder and manage anticipated crowd related issues. Crowds are still going to congregate at the Mount Main Beach area and traffic management, waste management and proactive safety controls such as fencing, lighting and security support will still be required. Also the Council will provide a central city fireworks show and the youth event at ASB Arena.

The Council can't guarantee the safety of everyone, but through their duty of care they will mitigate risks by having crowd management plans, a command, control and communication plan and a traffic and transport plan for the New Year period. The co-ordination of agencies is really important.

Certain groups who may be targeted for retribution should be warned to stay away from the Mount on New Year's Eve.

Steve Morris

We've doubled the amount we're spending on New Year's Eve in terms of crowd control and security. But it's $750,000 to be spent on one night, which could be spent instead on several events throughout the year. In particular it would be better spent promoting Tauranga during the winter months, when we don't have as many visitors. During the holiday period, Tauranga's accommodation is usually fully booked out, so there seems to be a greater economic return to be had from investing the money elsewhere.

In terms of safety, we've increased our focus on security in these trouble spots, as well as working with police to take a more strategic view.

Doug Owens

Mr Owens was unable to provide a full statement before this article was published.

Noel James Peterson

Council is already playing a role in the New Year celebrations, although the events have been moved, one to ASB arena and I understand fireworks in Tauranga. I understand this decision has been made in consultation with Police and other agencies who have collaborated with council staff to make Tauranga a safe as possible during Christmas, albeit we don't have a crystal ball to see unknown situations that may arise.

I would also be happy to consider seeing private enterprise with suitable security and consultation with police and council propose some additional events.

I will be making sure if elected Mayor such collaboration would be ongoing and vigilant to be sure the city is safe over Christmas, and would likely be personally monitoring this process closely.

Graeme Purches

If elected as Mayor I will ask the new Council elected team to review this decision. Unfortunately those of us ‘outside the loop' at the moment do not have access to all of the reports that those inside the tent do.

But I have to say that I am deeply concerned that this has been debated and decision taken at an ‘extraordinary' meeting only days before a new Council is elected.

I agree with Councillor Stewart that the information and reports should have been available months ago (six months in my view) and this matter should have been debated long before now – if for no other reason than to allow Council and other stakeholders (the public, local businesses, others who may have wished to apply for a consent to run an alternative event) to plan ahead and minimise the imposition of costs associated with trying to organise an event less than three months out.

John Robson

The decision to axe the event is in my view wrong. It is the result of an inexperienced council led by a highly-risk averse Chief Executive - in short, a fail of leadership.

Council's role should be to commission a professionally managed programme of events to deliver a safe, 'for all ages” celebration of NYE (as other cities seem to be able to do) – and to do the same for Matariki.

Repeating for Matariki will spread cost, increase return, and deliver a new event for Tauranga at a time when it will add real value in terms of both quality of life – and economic return.

No option can guarantee safety, but in my opinion, a professionally-managed programme of events will lower risk.

SunLive will have full coverage of the elections as the results are released after voting closing tomorrow.

Keep checking SunLive both Saturday and Sunday for up-to-date results.