Lights to shine on Castlepoint this year | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

Castlepoint residents have come up with a bright idea to help deal with the perennial problem of teenagers and booze ? Christmas lights.

According to former Masterton district councillor and long-time Castlepoint homeowner Luther Toloa, alcohol bans aren't enough to change the booze culture that has marred some previous holiday periods at the beach.

So a group of Castlepoint residents are planning to encourage more families to the beach this Christmas-New Year period.

To do this they are organising displays of Christmas lights and are planning a professional fireworks display.

Mr Toloa said the group had bought the Perry Street Christmas lights.

The annual Perry Street display hasn't happened for the past two or three years.

The Castlepoint group will also be encouraging the local fishing fleet to anchor offshore with their lights sparkling. And if the idea of a Castlepoint Christmas light display takes off there is talk of decking the lighthouse with Christmas lights in future.

The group are in negotiations for some funds to help stage a professional fireworks display.

"Ninety-nine per cent of the youngsters who come to Castlepoint for the Christmas-New Year celebrations are brilliant but there is always one or two dorks who ruin it for everyone," Mr Toloa said.

"I don't have any problems with booze bans but there has to be more.

"By putting up the lights and holding a fireworks display we are hoping to get a relaxed family atmosphere at Castlepoint," he said.