Mission aims for 'prestige' concert

Mission Concert organisers want to raise the event's level by stopping unruly behaviour at Saturday's Tom Jones show.

"We're trying to get more of a prestige feel to it," Mission Estate chief executive Peter Holley said yesterday.

The winery and promoters Sports and Entertainment Ltd (Sel) are this year imposing a limit on how much alcohol patrons can bring in - two bottles of wine, 12 cans of beer or 10 pre-mixed drinks a person.

Behaviour at the big open-air concert had not been as good as he wanted, he said.

The 2006 Olivia Newton-John and Chris de Burgh concert was marred by people vomiting and falling down a bank. A man was knocked unconscious in a brawl.

"We don't want to compromise our licence, and we don't want to compromise the future of the event," Mr Holley said.

Garry Craft, of Sel, said concertgoers could not bring in large trolleys but could use small bags with wheels. A cooling-off area would be attended by security and ambulance personnel.

"It's for people who've had a bit too much to drink and just need a drink of water and a rest," he said.

"A handful" of tickets were available and gate sales would probably be available on Saturday.

The venue capacity is 25,000.

Last year, about 23 tonnes of glass and two tonnes of metal cans were left behind.

- © Fairfax NZ News