A man, who attended Juicy Fest in Wellington with his wife and two friends, expressed his disappointment and concern over the event being marred by violence and bad behaviour, primarily attributed to members of the Mongrel Mob gang.
The man spoke to legacy media outlet NZ Herald about his experiences at Hutt Park on January 5. Despite purchasing VIP tickets for a child-free getaway, their experience turned sour due to repeated instances of violence and disorder, particularly in the VIP section, which he described as being dominated by Mongrel Mob members.
The festival, which featured notable hip-hop and R&B artists, attracted a crowd of around 15,000 people. However, the man reported witnessing several fights involving gang members, including being hit by a full can of beer thrown during a brawl. He described the security as ineffective in controlling the situation.
Police confirmed that a police officer was hit by a bottle and acknowledged instances of intoxication, disorder, and assault involving suspected gang members. Six people were arrested for fighting and disorderly behaviour, although the police stated the crowd was largely well-behaved.
Another festival-goer reported a confrontation between the Mongrel Mob and another gang. The man and his group left the festival early after encountering continuous disturbances and feeling threatened, even outside their hotel. He said he woulnd’t be going back in the future, citing the event’s failure to provide a safe and enjoyable experience.
The festival’s last show in the country takes place today in Tauranga, before it moves to venues in Australia throughout the rest of January.
