Safe Zone provides haven for Hamilton clubbers

People enjoying Hamilton's CBD nightlife around student orientation (O-Week) will be able to chill out in a new temporary Safe Zone running for four weeks.

The Safe Zone will be an area where people can get glasses of water, bus timetables, help locating a friend, phone chargers, medical support from St John and social support from Red Frogs NZ.

Located in Embassy Park on Victoria St, the Safe Zone is a joint initiative by the ‘Hamilton CBD Safety Comes First Group’ which aims to enhance safety and ease the pressure on Hamilton's emergency services.

Hamilton Police Inspector and the group’s Chair, Karen Henrikson, says the Safe Zone goes hand in hand with other prevention activities Police are involved with.

“We’re excited about working with our partners to provide a safe area for people who are feeling vulnerable, have lost their mates, or just need time to chill out," Inspector Henrikson says. "Our goal is to reduce inappropriate behaviour and disorder, and increase safety around this traditionally busy time of year for Police and other emergency services. It’s all about people coming into the CBD at night being safe and feeling safe.”


Photo courtesy of Hamilton City Council

Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker says the Safe Zone is a great partnership initiative to provide a safe place and help station for anyone experiencing the city’s night-life.

“We have a wave of young people move into Hamilton at the start of every year and head into town for O-Week. The Council encourages everyone to keep safe, but we also want people to know there is support readily available if they need it," says Mayor Hardaker.

The Lawrenson Group’s Chief Executive John Lawrenson says this time of year is well-known for people over-indulging in alcohol before heading into town.

“At the start of each year we see a lot of students affected by pre-loading and we also see that their friends are unsure on how to deal with them. The result is often severely intoxicated youths who are just left to fend for themselves,” says Mr Lawrenson. “The safe zone provides a safe destination for those affected by alcohol, staffed by experienced volunteers. “

The Safe Zone will be operating from 10.30pm to 3.30am on the following dates:

• Thursday 25, Friday 26, Saturday 27 February
• Wednesday 2, Thursday 3, Friday 4, Saturday 5 March (O-Week)
• Thursday 10, Friday 11, Saturday 12 March
• Thursday 17, Friday 18, Saturday 19 March.

The Hamilton CBD Safety Comes First Group is made up of Police, Hamilton Central Business Association, Hospitality NZ, Hamilton City Council, Fire Service, Waikato Students’ Union, Waikato DHB, ACC and The Lawrenson Group. The group’s key focus is safety within the central city including the use of alcohol, lighting and CCTV cameras.