Fury at wild ‘influencer party’ during New Zealand lockdown

A group of Instagram influencers have sparked widespread fury in New Zealand after videos circulated online of a wild party held during lockdown.

A group of Instagram influencers have sparked widespread outrage in New Zealand, after videos circulated online of dozens of people partying, despite the country’s tough lockdown rules.

New Zealand is currently battling an outbreak of the Delta variant of Covid, with Auckland, Northland and parts of Waikato living under strict Level 3 lockdown restrictions.

Videos of the illegal party held at a house on Auckland’s North Shore recently circulated online, showing dozens of young people kissing, dancing and drinking, with seemingly zero regard for the restrictions.

The gathering took place in Auckland over the weekend.

Police are now investigating the gathering.

Auckland has been in lockdown since August 18, with current restrictions meaning indoor gatherings are banned.

Outdoor gatherings between two households can take place with a maximum of 10 people.

Residents are otherwise required to stay home unless going to work or school and must wear masks in public settings.

In one clip, a woman in a red dress twerks on a table, while in another a couple can be seen grinding on the floor while a group of people cheer.

The gathering, which has been branded an “influencer party”, prompted outrage from the Auckland community, which has been struggling to contain the virus outbreak for more than a month.

News of the party comes as New Zealand recorded a further 65 Covid-19 cases on Monday.

One person who attended the event posted an apology on social media, saying he “regrets” attending and conceded that his actions were “dumb”.

In one clip a woman was seen twerking on a table.

Other attendees were seen grinding on the ground as a group of people cheered.

“We never called ourselves influencers – it was only labelled that because it was stated by the person who wrote the initial status that came out about it,” he wrote.

“Regardless, it was dumb. We shouldn’t have broken the rules for a party but I’m sure we are all taking responsibility for our actions and definitely taking all the person [sic] attacks, doxxing and everything else that is getting thrown at us as a consequence.

“I can’t speak for anyone else that was at the party but I know myself that it was a huge regret and I’m not even just saying that because we got caught.

“It was selfish and overall a stupid decision but the death threats, cyber hate and personal attacks towards people shouldn’t be condoned.”

Despite claiming not to be an influencer, the partygoer has sponsored content on his platforms, according to the New Zealand Herald.

One of the people who was posting videos from the party was a social media influencer and “fitness model” with tens of thousands of followers.

Party prompts superspreader fears

Aerosol chemist Dr Joel Rindelaub told the NZ Herald that the party had “all the makings of a superspreader event”.

He warned Delta could transmit through fleeting contact, so an event like this poses a major risk.

“When you are in an indoor environment like that there is far less ventilation meaning people are going to be exchanging breath, exchanging aerosols – these are the exact types of particles that the virus will latch on to,” Dr Rindelaub said.

“Dry humping is not a Covid-friendly activity outside your bubble. I can say that with some certainty.

“This has all the makings of a superspreader event, so we just hope there weren’t any positive cases at this little shindig.”

New Zealand has been battling rising Covid-19 cases for months. Picture: Mark Mitchell – Pool/Getty Images

Police investigating, attendee’s labelled ‘selfish’

Auckland Police have confirmed they are investigating reports of a house party after receiving multiple “excessive noise” complaints in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Officers attended a property in Redvale, Albany, shortly after 4am, though the majority of attendees had left by this point, Stuff reports.

Police reportedly spoke with the occupants and initiated further inquiries for “follow up enforcement actions”.

A police spokesperson told the publication the footage was being reviewed and officials would be considering the enforcement options available.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff branded the attendees selfish and accused them of “choosing to behave like idiots”.

“After a fantastic Super Saturday that saw record numbers of Aucklanders doing the right thing, it’s a shame to see a small minority of selfish people choosing to behave like idiots,” he said in a statement.

“Parties are exactly the sorts of activities that can lead to a superspreader event.

“But this does not reflect the vast majority of Aucklanders who are continuing to follow the health rules to protect their families and community.”

Originally published as Fury at wild ‘influencer party’ during New Zealand lockdown