New Zealands vision of itself versus visitors perception once here!

Kia Ora,

Spent yesterday at an expo & talking to locals, we talked about the so called good security at the latest All Black Rugby test here in Christchurch. At the same time a letter to the editor of 'The Press' from a visitor to that test challenged the image of New Zealand.

Then today we have complaints against how police acted when clearing a party recently here in Christchurch with police response.

Just as i write this there is an item on TV about knife crime in Britain with the comment on how New Zealand could avoid it by been on top of things.

First thing first. The comments of locals who attended the Rugby test which was viewed as a test for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

After it was all played up they said they expected, with what they were carrying, to be searched but apart from been asked "do you have anything in there?" they were waived through.

So net result a big 'F' for fail again in basic access control. That will not or should not be acceptable to those who are in charge of Rugby World Cup Security.

Next was the letter from the visitor to the local newspaper. There was a lot of discussion around on how it was 'only a few bad eggs'.

Afraid not & the visitor would of seen a lot more of that behaviour had the All Blacks lost. When in the security industry you see too much of the idiot brigade in Christchurch often carried out by the last people you would expect & it has been getting worse.

New Zealand needs to grow up quickly if it doesn't want to embarrass itself if the Rugby World Cup takes place here. There is still enough time to transfer it to Australia if New Zealand can not get its act together in two related areas. Security & behaviour.
Visitors are generally shocked by the poor behaviour, especially once alcohol is involved, of these lovely Kiwis.

Speaking of behaviour in particular bad behaviour, it is now seen acceptable to question any actions taken by the police despite the fact that the people in question are more often than not breaking the law.

The situation this time was a party that someone had started a fire at, police were requested by the fire brigade & on arrival had bottles thrown at them.

I don't see the police had any option but to take aggressive action. The fact that some were apparently sitting quietly when hit & pepper sprayed is of no consequence.

If you associate with what are essentially criminal elements then you have no excuse to complain when the authorities take action. The police have no way of knowing who is what, when they move in on what appears to be a large party. Of course everyone is innocent after the fact. Guilty by association.
What are visitors going to make of the drunken violence that abounds in this country?

Of course the last item knife crime in the UK & the comment that NZ needs to keep on top of it.

Too late the horse has bolted on that one. A recent comment on police in Christchurch was that virtually every person they arrest these days has a knife on them.

So any visitor entering NZ thinking they are coming to a nice safe place needs to think again. It can be very enjoyable with a lot friendly people, but visitors need to take the normal precautions they take at home & maybe learn a few local things or places to avoid.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz