Some Courtenay Place bar owners accuse Wellington police of threatening patrons and staff

To Jemima Houston

Wellington police have been accused of threatening patrons and staff at Courtenay Place bars and increasing tensions in the capital’s party centre.

Police and paramedics targeted the area on Friday and Saturday nights to keep revelers safe and to forestall instability.

However, many investors argue that it is counterproductive.

At 11pm on a Saturday night, Courtenay Place comes alive. Crowds of people fill the sidewalks, packed venues, and loud music.

Uniformed police and paramedics in yellow high-vis vests stand in groups along the street.

Bar owner José Ubiaga said he was okay with that, but tensions quickly mounted as he didn’t feel safe when patrons walked in.

“When you bring 10 to 12 cops into the store, the customer doesn’t understand what’s going on.

“They just think, ‘Wow, what’s going on here? Something’s wrong.’ [has] happened. ‘ Or people walk in, see all the cops around, and just walk out. It’s pretty intimidating. “

Wellington police have been accused of threatening bar patrons.
photograph: RNZ / Jemima Houston

Wellington police have been accused of threatening bar patrons.

Ubiaga said he understood police had to enter the venue to check on drunk patrons.

But the way they engaged with him and his staff made them panic and intimidated, he said.

“They just walk in and start asking questions and making their presence felt.

“They treat us like they’re here to get us and they’re trying to find a reason to keep us out.

“There is no collaboration, no cooperation, no ‘we are on the same side’.”

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has recognized that police can be threatening to bar staff and marginalized groups spending time at Courtenay Place.

“It’s perfectly acceptable to have minor patrols throughout the area until 3am, and that’s what I’ve seen when I’ve been on the streets.

“But it’s perfectly understandable why larger groups are intimidating.”

The mayor wanted to hear from a bar owner who was unhappy with the police presence.

It was imperative that the council work with owners and the police to ensure that Wellington’s bar scene was a safe place for patrons and staff.

“We are recruiting for the role of City Manager who will be the City Council Liaison for all business owners along Courtenay Place.

“To make sure we get exactly that kind of feedback and feed it into the Pōneke Promise program.”

Courtenay Place is usually busy on Friday and Saturday nights, with large crowds on the sidewalks and packed venues.
photograph: RNZ / Jemima Houston

Courtenay Place revelers were unsure whether the police were making the area safer.

“I feel the presence of the police. There are so many people around, but they do nothing. We go to the police and they say something terrible has happened. is not a problem to be solved.So what is your job?” said one.

“Between midnight and 1:00 a.m. it gets very intense. It’s time for the police and the impeachment forces to come out,” said another.

“They’re there for a reason,” said one woman.

Jeremy Smith, managing director of Trinity Group, which owns several bars on the street, agreed there was a problem when the bars were overrun with police officers.

“Undoubtedly, they can be a threat to both staff and patrons.

“When you’re trying to relax and have a good time, it doesn’t look good when the venue is full of police, especially some of the smaller venues in Courtenay Place.”

But police and the bar owner had to work together to ensure the safety of partygoers, he said.

“As long as the police are committed to keeping our streets safe, we want our patrons to behave appropriately in our venues, to be well cared for and to do exactly what they want to do.” We do our job in terms of allowing you to go out, relax, and have a good time.”

Jose Ubiaga also wants better collaboration and communication between entities.

“We want Courtenay Place to be safe. We want it to be a good environment. Wellington’s nightlife should be an asset.”

Police declined to be interviewed, but said their focus and intentions were solely on the safety of the community.

The police will continue to visit bars, talk to people, and stand out in Wellington’s CBD.