Attributable to Inspector Danny Kirk, Tairāwhiti Area Commander:

It’s been a particularly busy time for Tairāwhiti Police over the last few days.

With the annual Rhythm and Vines Music Festival attracting thousands, reports of anti-social road user events planned in the area and New Year celebrations across the region, mixed in with heavy rain.

Festival goers braved the wet weather and overall, their behaviour was good. There were four arrests for supplying drugs and breaches of bail, possession of an offensive weapon and behaving threateningly.

A search and rescue operation has concluded at Whare Flat, Dunedin, following a report of a person calling for help.

About 9.30am today, Police received a call from someone walking the Mackie Dackie track, who could hear a person yelling for help but could not locate where the voice was coming from. A Search and Rescue operation was launched, however searchers have been stood down, after finding no sign of a person or people in distress.

Police are appealing to the public for any information after receiving reports that someone was heard yelling for help near the Mackie Dackie track, off Flagstaff-Whare Flat Road, Whare Flat, Dunedin, this morning.

Around 9.30am today, Police received a call with a report from someone who was walking the Mackie Dackie track and could hear a person yelling for help but could not locate where the voice was coming from.

Police have conducted initial enquiries and have walked the Mackie Dackie track but have been unable to hear or see anyone.