Planking hits Rotorua | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Rotorua residents have embraced the "planking" craze and while it may seem like a bit of harmless fun, people are being warned not to take things too far.

The term "planking" has been given to the online craze involving people posting photos of themselves laying flat, face down and with arms to the side, often in public places.

A Planking Rotorua page has been set up on social networking website Facebook which has attracted more than 200 fans while a Planking New Zealand page has more than 12,000 fans. Rotorua residents have been posting photos on both pages.

The craze came into the spotlight recently when an Australian man fell to his death from the balcony of a high-rise apartment in Brisbane. He was "planking" on the rail of the balcony, seven floors up.

The practice came under fire in New Zealand after a Tauranga Boys' College student was pictured on Facebook planking across a railway track. The teenager has since spoken of his regret over the incident.

Secondary School Principals' Association president and John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh, said the Tauranga teen had been disciplined.

Principals from Rotorua and elsewhere had contacted him about dangerous planking by pupils, including one incident where someone planked on the crossbar of the goalposts on a sports field, Mr Walsh said.

He had advised schools of the dangers of the fad and said he was not aware of anyone suffering injuries - yet. "I'm really concerned it's going to happen."

While principals were not opposed to the idea of planking, it appeared the more dangerous the planking episode, the more kudos gained and that was a real concern, Mr Walsh said. Students caught performing dangerous acts could face suspension.

Waiariki Institute of Technology social networking expert Narissa Bayler said it was easy for new fads to go viral. Things like planking appealed to a younger generation who could also be hooked on social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter.

"Personally I think planking is hilarious," she said. "It is just like drinking or driving. It is one of those things which people have to do responsibly."

Mrs Bayler said some internet fads burned out quite quickly.

"It's interesting because everyone thought that Twitter would burn out and it is now so huge.

"Things like photo bombing were quite short-lived so I am not expecting planking to last too long."

Rotorua police area commander Inspector Bruce Horne declined to comment on the issue.