Police officers, including those from the Bay of Plenty, are being praised for their response to a riot at a popular music festival in Gisborne.

Acting police commissioner Glenn Dunbier was on duty with Gisborne and Bay of Plenty staff at the Rhythm and Vines Festival on December 29.

A riot broke out at the Rhythm and Vines Festival causing police to act to stop the situation from getting out of control. Photo: File.

'I was really proud of the way our staff deployed at Rhythm and Vines and the way they responded to the riot at Baywatch - the festival's city-based camping ground - on December 31,” says Glenn.

'Our staff reacted professionally and calmly to a situation that could have got even more out of hand than it was.

'As a result, this quite rightly became a story about alcohol, binge-drinking, liquor licensing and poor behaviour rather than one about the reaction of police.

'Well done and thanks to Inspector Sam Aberahama and Senior Sergeants Steve Sutherland and Freddy van Duuren for their leadership and to all staff who policed this event and responded to the riot with such professionalism.”

Glenn is saddened and disappointed to the start of the New Year, with 17 people being killed in crashes during the holiday period.

'Once again, speed and alcohol were factors in many of these crashes,” he adds.

'There is ample evidence that shows speed is a major contributor to road deaths and injuries in New Zealand and around the world, and the dangers of driving after drinking are well-known by all.

'That's why police will continue to focus on those factors and changing driver behaviour.”