Media Insider: NZ Screen Awards guest arrested, trespassed after becoming aggressive following incident with female hospitality workers

A witness reported the man – one of 770 guests at the glitzy event – was intoxicated.

Awards organiser Justine McKay confirmed an incident inside the venue, describing it as a “horrible” situation.

“Nobody wants that kind of behaviour around or associated with anything that we do. We don’t support it, don’t condone it, don’t want it anywhere near us, and we just feel sick for those who experienced such a negative situation on the night.”

She understood the man had entered a non-public area – a secondary kitchen – and physically hugged two female wait staff.

“The words that were used were that he was a bit ‘handsy’. That’s not my words, that’s the words that were expressed to me. That’s the extent of my knowledge of what was said by the two people who experienced this situation.”

She said organisers took the situation “very, very seriously”.

“We don’t condone that sort of behaviour at all. First and foremost, our priority was on the night – and still remains – to support those who have experienced harm. We dealt with the situation as soon as it happened.”

She said the man was asked to step outside “so that we could remove him from the venue”.

“He complied and came outside immediately, and then unfortunately that escalated, and so the police were called.”

She said the man had become “a bit aggressive”.

A police spokesman said: “The Auckland central beat team attended the Viaduct Events Centre on Friday night.

“Venue staff reported a patron refusing to leave. On arrival, police initially arrested the man for breach of the peace. The man was later released without charge and left the area. Police is not aware of any further issues concerning this man.”

The police communications team was unaware of any issues with the man’s actions towards wait staff. “[The] only information we have is venue staff reporting an intoxicated patron who they said was refusing to leave.”

McKay said police asked at the scene whether any person wanted to escalate the matter.

“What was decided at that time by those involved was that they opted not to lay charges … but they wanted to ensure he was removed from the venue so that nobody who was involved in the situation had to experience any further distress.”

She said the two women had opted, at this stage, not to lay an official complaint.

“We support whatever the people who were at the coalface of it experienced … we support whatever they would like to do. So if they wish to come forward and lay a formal complaint and charge, then we will be 100% behind that.

“At this stage, that is not the case and from the security and venue perspective, that currently is also not the case.”

The man has been trespassed from the Viaduct Events Centre.

He would also not be welcome back to future awards.

McKay said organisers knew who the man was and were dealing with an associate. She said it was best for her not to comment on his identity.

Asked if the man was drunk or on something else, she said: “I can’t really speculate on what he had consumed. I know that the venue is very hot on [the issue of] serving alcohol to intoxicated persons.

“My understanding is that all procedures were followed, in accordance with the law.”

McKay said it was a “real shame” that a “wonderful celebration of New Zealand’s screen talent” had been marred by one incident where someone “did not represent himself in a proper manner”.

“We feel sick for anybody who experienced any distress because of the actions of one individual.”

She said she had agreed to keep in contact with people who worked with the man to advise whether the matter would be escalated.

“I have suggested that we would like to have an apology letter. I’ll be following up on that. We’d obviously like to ensure that is the minimum that happens.”

Screen Awards – the big winners

Other than that incident – and as the NZ Herald reported on the night – the screen awards celebrated the very best of New Zealand’s film and television talent.

TVNZ enjoyed a dominant night, winning 19 of 57 categories.

1 News won best news coverage for its Kiingitanga Tangihanga coverage. Indira Stewart was named reporter of the year, and John Campbell was named best presenter: news and current affairs.

Reporter of the year Indira Stewart, of TVNZ.

Te Karere host Scotty Morrison won screen personality of the year, as voted by the public.

The Hui, produced by Great Southern Television, was named best current affairs programme.

Lee Tamahori was honoured posthumously with his historical drama The Convert winning five major honours, including best director: drama feature; best cinematography: feature; best production design: feature; best costume design: feature; and best makeup design: feature.

Sir Sam Neill received a standing ovation as he was presented the 2025 screen legend award.

“It was excellent,” said McKay. “It was really lovely to see the whole industry come together and celebrate and have a good time.

“Lots of great award speeches – people seemed to be really getting into the spirit of it. It was nice after all this time, especially with film being a bit silent and unrecognised for many years.

“So that was great – job done on that front.”

Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.