Coordinator Keith Ramage says the ticketing system seriously damaged Zeal's popularity and was scrapped last year. Planning is also under way for similar clubs in Johnsonville, Upper Hutt and on the Kapiti Coast. Wellington Mayor Mark Blumsky says Jeff Whittington's death was the catalyst for change and a stronger financial commitment from the council. It was an absolute tragedy. Mr Blumsky pins the success of Zeal and other youth schemes on the way the council has taken a back seat and let the teenagers organise themselves.
Some councillors believe it is the role of central government to fund youth initiatives.
A critic of the council's big-spending projects, councillor Bryan Pepperell says it's hard to find anyone against the commitment to youth. It's really a collective vision and the youth council has done a fantastic job. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone opposed to the kind of work that they've done. Though Wellington police have been pleased with the success of Zeal, its initial popularity was almost its downfall. Mr Gilpin says the inner city on a Friday night has improved since 1999, but the level of underage boozing still concerns police.