A thriving community, free from alcohol-related harm is a strong focus area for Te Mana Ora as well as all across the motu – and, thanks to an excellent initiative across Christchurch and Otago, there has been a shift in anti social behaviour caused by alcohol at university parties.

The Good One Party Register is an intiaitve which aims to reduce alcohol-related harm and antisocial behaviour in student populations in both Canterbury and Otago.

Backboned by a multi-agency group including University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, NZ Police, Christchurch City Council, ACC, and Te Whatu Waitaha, Good One provides helpful information to anyone organising a party to keep them and their guests safe.

From it’s creation in Ōtautahi in 2014, Good One operates by party hosts registering their parties via the Good One website, having a local police employee get in touch to confirm the details of the party including size of the gathering, and talking through safety concerns and tips and tricks for a safe, fun party. The party then happens, and if anything goes wrong the police are one phone call away.

By registering a party the Police will already be aware of it and by following pre-party guidelines, there are less chances of complaints from neighbours and potential trouble during the festivities.

Good One has helped reduced noise complaints and police call outs, rubbish, and breaches in alochol banned areas. In addition to this neighbourhood relationships as well as and police/student relationships were strengthened:

“We thought the process was easy as and the follow-up is great. I think as more people become aware of the initaitive, the Police turning up to parties for a routine check shouldn’t become an issue and everyone should be happy” – student Good One user

“You guys coming over during the night to make it was going smoothly was great reassurance. Knowing we had your support was awesome” – student Good One user

You can find out more about Good One via their website, Facebook and Instagram pages.

Article added: Tuesday 11 April 2023