Police conducted 1000 breath tests, and four people related to the gatherings were caught out over the limit, police said. Photo: Police
Bay of Plenty police have shut down multiple gatherings of "antisocial road users" overnight, making arrests, impounding cars, and issuing infringements.
This crackdown is set against the backdrop of a newly proposed legislation, which aims to bring in harsher penalties for what the government calls "idiot" boy racers.
Announced in May, the Anti-Social Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill will set up new offences and penalties for people driving dangerously, including costly infringement fees and making vehicle seizure or destruction more common for street racing, burnouts and fleeing police.
The bill defines "anti-social road users" as people who flee police, participate in unauthorised street racing, burnouts, intimidating convoys, disorderly dirt bike gatherings, or siren battles.
On this occasion, people travelled from Hamilton, Rotorua, and other areas, congregating in Tauranga for planned meet-ups, police said in a release.
More than 100 police staff were at checkpoints in the Tauranga area as part of the operation, and the Police Eagle helicopter was also deployed.
Western Bay of Plenty area prevention manager Inspector Zane Smith said the strong police presence at Tauranga meet spots prevented the groups from blocking roads and performing dangerous activities.
"There were multiple instances where the gatherings moved to other areas, such as Papamoa, Marine Parade, Tauriko, and Oropi," he said.
"However, our visible and preventative approach meant groups were intercepted before they were able to participate in any antisocial road user activity."
In total, three people were arrested for driving while disqualified, resisting police, and obstructing police.
Bay of Plenty police have shut down multiple gatherings of "antisocial road users" overnight, making arrests, impound ing cars, and issuing infringements on 31 August 2025. Photo: Police
A 19-year-old man is due to appear in Tauranga District Court on 5 September, charged with driving while suspended and resisting police, while the other two will appear in court at a later date.
Police conducted 1000 breath tests, and four people related to the gatherings were caught out over the limit, police said.
During the operation, nine members of the public were also caught at the checkpoints over the legal alcohol limit.
'Dangerous for everyone involved'
Twenty vehicles were pink or green stickered, and deemed unsafe to be driven.
Police also impounded four vehicles and issued some 31 infringement notices.
These events were dangerous for several reasons, Smith said.
"Illegally modified and unroadworthy vehicles travelling on roads at speed and performing sustained losses of traction is a quick way for someone to end up seriously injured, or worse.
"This driving behaviour is dangerous for everyone involved; drivers, passengers, spectators, the public, and our staff."
Twenty vehicles were pink or green stickered, and deemed unsafe to be driven. Photo: Police
Communities and police were frustrated by this behaviour, Smith said.
"Our message is clear - we have zero-tolerance for this behaviour and the havoc it creates.
"If you are participating in antisocial road user activities, expect to see us on the roads taking action.
"I think that was made very clear by our response this weekend," Smith said.
"Disruption and prevention were the focus for us, and these results show the good work done by all the officers involved."
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