Taupō’s CBD ‘simply too dangerous’, warns Judge

Thursday, 25 June 2026

A district court judge has taken the extraordinary step of issuing a safety warning for a North Island tourism hotspot, advising people to avoid a chunk of Taupō’s CBD after dark as “it is simply too dangerous”.

“Do not go out after dark in the area of Tūwharetoa St,” Judge John Bergseng cautioned.

“It is simply too dangerous to be out in that area.”

The judge’s warning came from the bench on Tuesday, at Taupō District Court, as he sentenced Zandrier Brown to 12 months home detention for her role in an assault on Tūwharetoa St.

He made the unusual interjection after the sentencing, noting every time he was in Taupō he dealt with matters stemming from that street, home to bars, clubs, restaurants and fast food outlets.

“It’s [assaults, etc] happening so frequently there is real concern on the part of judges,” he said.

While safety in that part of Taupō’s CBD may be worrying the Judiciary, Taupō mayor John Funnell didn’t seem too concerned.

The Waikato Times was told by Funnell’s office that our questions to him had been passed on, and he “advised that questions around public safety are a matter for police”.

“He has no comment to make.”

On Tūwharetoa St itself, the views varied depending on how close, or how far, you were from the concentration of bars, pubs and restaurants close to the Sin City strip club.

One fast food worker, who declined to be named, said they often saw fights and anti-social behaviour.

“Mostly drunk people,” he said.

“They’re on drugs too, particularly at the weekend.”

A few hundred metres up the street, one retailer said, “I’ve never felt scared locking up when it’s dark”.

They did concede, however, that their location placed them some way from the night life spots on the street.

Police also declined to answer specific questions posed by the Waikato Times, but Taupō area commander Inspector Phil Edwards said they deploy staff “where we are most needed, which does include streets across our CBD at all hours of the day”.

He did concede, however, that police are “often” deployed to Tūwharetoa St.

“Tūwharetoa St is home to many of the town’s bars, pubs, and clubs, meaning Police will often deploy staff there to help keep people safe, as well as respond to any incidents as they arise,” he said.

“Police have excellent relationships with duty managers and security also working, and Police continue to work collectively with them to ensure everyone in our town has a good time and arrives home safely.”

Taupō MP Louise Upston also declined to answer specific questions, though she did note “residents and visitors to Taupō rightfully expect the streets to be safe, and for agencies involved to work together to ensure that’s the case”.

“As the local MP, I regularly hear messages that safety is a priority and that’s why I support our Government’s investment in frontline policing.”

While Funnell appeared unconcerned about the safety concerns, tourism expert and Lincoln University Emeritus Professor David Simmons said that perhaps he should be.

“Once a place gets a reputation, it’s very hard to put the genie back in the bottle,” he said.

“If I were the mayor, I would be quite deeply concerned about that because when it hits that level of discussion, pay attention to it.”