Christchurch bars are "doing everything they can to keep people safe," says Hospitality NZ, after a Newshub investigation found Cathedral Square the most violent low-population city centre in New Zealand.
Tracy Scott, GM of operations and advocacy, says "the last thing [the hospitality sector wants] is for the area to be deemed unsafe or unpleasant to be in".
The return of bars and clubs to central Christchurch since the earthquakes has seen a spike in the level of violence.
An area spanning Cathedral Square and the St Asaph Street bar area had the highest rate of assault, sex attack or robberies in a public area in any part of Canterbury. It also had the highest rate for an urban area with fewer than 3000 residents.
In 2015, there were 100 more victims in the Cathedral Square compared to the second-most-violent area, Manukau Central.Newhub witnessed long lines outside bars and competition over taxis, causing frustrations to boil over.
But Ms Scott says local bars have set up an Alcohol Accord and are working with a number of agencies on a street safe initiative.
The initiative would see the introduction of Street Safe Officers to act as a go-between with security staff, bar managers, taxis, police and patrons.
Christchurch City Council is considering a policy that would force some bars to close at 1am.
Newshub.
