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People who flocked to Auckland’s Aotea Square on Saturday hoping to get some free money have been left out of money and injured, and are now asking for compensation.
The event, hosted by The Safety Warehouse, was touted as “New Zealand’s first massive cash drop,” with the promise of $ 100,000 in “real money” flying from the sky.
Stuff has contacted Safety Warehouse numerous times for comment.
People came by the hundreds after getting free tickets, but when the cash started pouring in and people realized it was fake money, things got “very, very ugly,” said Green Congressman Ricardo Menéndez.
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Wayne Lynch and his partner at The Safety Warehouse cash drop event in Aotea Square
An Auckland woman, who attended the event, said Things Sunday the atmosphere was amazing before the doors opened with kids playing and everyone excited and chatting about what they would do with their winnings.
“When the paper started getting ruined / thrown away, things went crazy, people literally threw themselves on the ground to pick up the material.”
The woman helped three people off the ground and saw a girl get hit on the head.
Haki Ani TePaea posted on Facebook saying that Safety Warehouse had stepped on everyone’s mana and the contestants deserved compensation.
The event page had not included anything about “fake money” and “injuries, accidents and disappointment was what everyone took,” TePaea said.
“When the gun was fired, it was just unreal to look and see the blast and the money coming out of the gun … I saw people watching how they get seriously hurt.”
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In a video posted on his page, he said his daughter’s shoulder was dislocated at the event.
“My son was knocked to the ground … I was being pushed and pushed.”
He said that he could feel the anger and pain of the people at the event.
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The counterfeit $ 5 bills that John Murphy thought were the real deal.
John Murphy spent $ 200 on travel and accommodation and 10 hours on a bus from Levin in order to be in Auckland for the promised gift.
He called the event an “absolute disaster,” and said it was a masterclass on how not to run a cash raffle: “Scam people and completely ignore your own safety tips.”
He said they pushed him, pushed him and hit him on the head.
Now he has started a petition asking The Safety Warehouse to honor the coupons people claim and exchange them for cash, which on Sunday had more than 250 supporters.
Inspector Gary Davey, Auckland City Central Police Area Commander, said police were present for security reasons and additional units were called to the scene to ensure the safety of the attendees.
Following the event there were a number of reports of disorder, he said, with investigations underway.
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The Safety Warehouse website touted the event as a “live cash raffle.”
On The Safety Warehouse’s now-deleted Facebook page, more than 2,000 people registered their interest in the event.
The company said it had been a “huge year” for them.
“Kiwi [sic] They have had to fork out for personal protective safety equipment they never anticipated they would need to buy and Covid19 has made life for many families more difficult.
“We are the company of the people and we are proud of it, which is why we are dropping $ 100,000 in value from the sky at Aotea Square at 12pm on Saturday the 5th. Yes, REAL MONEY will fly from the sky,” he said.
