By Charlotte Tonkin
Tonight, those not asleep will be partying in the new year. The danger is obvious, but the solution lies just outside Nelson.
It is a place devoted entirely to the drunken and young , and it is already going off.
Thousands of young binge drinkers have descended on Maitai Valley Motor Camp, as no other camping ground in the Nelson area will tolerate the boozy teens.
"They're going to do it," says manager Carol Wood. "They're still going to do it wherever they go. At least they can come here and know our staff will look out for them - we're babysitting."
Since riots at a nearby camping ground in 2002, Maitai Valley's sprawling grounds have become a mecca for youth.
"Everyone said, 'oh, go to Maitai', but everyone just gets boozed up and drunk," says camper Olivia Barnett, "but I don't do that."
Encouraging young people to party at the grounds, 3km out of town and away from families, is a move which has the full support of local police.
"It's ideal for us," says Snr Sgt Stu Koeford. "Also because they can mix with their own age group and their friends."
Maitai is open for 16 to 30-year-olds only over the New Year's Eve period. The rules are no glass, no fireworks, no children and no cricket bats. But there is one piece of equipment which can be found in most tents – the beer bong.
Forty security guards have been hired to ensure hijinks remain under control. They say safety is their absolute priority.
Every car which comes to the grounds is checked for glass and other items which could be used as weapons. The whole operation takes six months to organise and costs $90,000.
Nursing a broken hand from a drunken accident, Thomas McPhail has made his resolution.
"Have a couple more beers and then make it to the countdown," he says.
But it is doubtful whether everyone at camp will get to see in the new decade.
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