Are our beaches safe at Christmas?
On December 13th, 1642, Abel Tasman and his sailors became the first Europeans to sight New Zealand.
Some days later four of his men were killed in a skirmish with Maori off Golden Bay.
Of course, Abel Tasman should have known, if you want a quiet time, don't go to a New Zealand beach during the silly season.
238 years on it is to those same shores that many of us head to discover some holiday relaxation.
But instead of peace and goodwill - sometimes we find drunkenness and violence.
Finding the balance between merriment and misbehaving has caused problems.
Many communities have slapped on alcohol bans to clamp down on unruly behaviour - just north of Auckland a new one has been approved after a couple were badly assaulted.
But do the bans make a difference or just move the problem to a different location?
At Snells beach, north of Auckland it is peaceful and quiet for most of the year.
That is why the Provans moved here, but two years ago - the peace was broken when Stuart was attacked and repeatedly punched then left unconscious and bleeding on the ground.
Stuart spent a short time in hospital with a broken nose and concussion.
So the Provans called a community meeting to come up with ideas that could help improve security in the area.
There is now a liquor ban in place from Christmas Eve til Easter, no-one can drink in a public place between 9.00pm at night and 6.00am in the morning.
Liquor bans have become very popular throughout the country, in recent years, both on the coast and on other popular holiday spots.
Omaha beach has had a liquor ban for years, but this year the community added 24 hour security cameras that record every car going in and out.
And next week Omaha beach community is going one step further, it has employed a local security firm to carry out overnight patrols.
The community organisation declined an interview about its decision, but we understand local residents are going to be asked to pay for six weeks of patrols with an annual levy.
The Provans hope it will buy them some security.
| 
