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The behavior of participants in the 13th annual Waitangi Day pub crawl in London, England has sparked a complaint to the New Zealand High Commission.
Waitangi Day is a New Zealand public holiday held each year on the 6th of Febuary to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document. In London the holiday is celebrated with a giant pub crawl folllowing the route of the London Underground’s Circle Line. Reportedly, this year the event drew as many as 1500 Kiwis to the city’s streets and tube.
The complaint states that pub crawl participants were urinating and vomiting on famous landmarks, including Westminster Abbey and the Jewel Tower, and exposing themselves indecently on the street.
It appears however, that the complaint probably won’t be taken too seriously. The pub crawl’s organiser Clint Heine believes the behavior of the event participants was exaggerated.
“We work really hard over here in London to not be idiots.”
Mr. Heine also stated that the Westminster police told him that they believed the day was a success and the department made no arrests.
And New Zealand Prime Minister John Key stated that he believes it is great that New Zealanders around the world celebrate Waitangi Day.
“We would hope they wouldn’t get out of control but I don’t think we should over-egg this thing – New Zealanders are well known for having a pretty good time in London.”
Read more at news.com.au.