Wet weather and strict enforcement of a liquor ban helped keep a lid on New Year's Eve celebrations in Queenstown.
Police reported a largely trouble-free build-up to midnight in the resort, with persistent drizzle and occasional showers appearing to curb any over-exuberance on the part of revellers.
A liquor ban in the public areas of the central business district was strictly enforced by police and security staff.
Long lines formed outside bars and nightclubs, especially after heavy rain about 10pm brought a temporary stop to a free concert in Earnslaw Park.
However, a large crowd regathered in the park about an hour later, boosted by more than 1000 younger party-goers from Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park's youth park.
The crowds in the town centre were notable for a large number of family groups and overseas visitors as well as younger revellers.
The celebrations were capped off after midnight by a fireworks display from a barge in Queenstown Bay.
WanakaSeveral thousand people counted down to the new year on the Lake Wanaka foreshore.
By midnight, a cold, showery southerly had moved on, and a good-humoured crowd watched the entertainers and fireworks.
Seven people were arrested in Wanaka for disorder and alcohol-related offences overnight.
North OtagoRevellers marking the arrival of 2015 in Oamaru and the Waitaki Valley largely behaved themselves on New Year's Eve.
In the Waitaki Valley, crowds packed into the hotels in Kurow, Otematata and Omarama, as well as the camping grounds, but the partygoers stayed under control, Sergeant Blair Wilkinson, of Oamaru, said.
''It was pretty good, really - no real problems with disorder, no drink-drivers apprehended,'' he said.
No big public events were held and liquor bans were in place in Otematata and Omarama. A group of campers at Briar's Gully Campground were visited by police after lighting a fire, but they put it out when told of the fire ban.
There was some damage at the toilet block in the Otematata park, and broken bottles left in the area.
Waitaki district camp supervisor Simon Fox, who oversees Parsons Rock, Boat Harbour, Wildlife Reserve, Loch Laird, Sailors Cutting and Lake Middleton, reported good-natured crowds at the sites this year.
Fireworks were let off at Sailors Cutting to celebrate the new year.
Campers had been blessed with great weather for the past 10 days and the boat ramps had been busy each day, Mr Fox said.
Visitor numbers were about the same as last year, with the majority of campers coming from Oamaru, Dunedin, Christchurch and Timaru.
In Oamaru, the licensed premises were busy, but it was a quiet night for police, Acting Sergeant Carl Pedersen said. No arrests were made overnight and no significant incidents reported.
South OtagoA receptive crowd of up to 300 people saw the fireworks at Pounawea go off as planned at midnight.
Despite early rain, Chris Bennett set off the fireworks show from the end of the jetty at midnight at the Owaka holiday-makers' haven.
''The rain cleared at 10.30pm, so it was a bit of a mad dash,'' Mr Bennett said.
A truck with a loudhailer toured campsites and the neighbourhood and gathered the crowd to join those still dancing as the band played.
The tide was high and what wind there was was blowing in the right direction.
At Kaka Point at midnight only about 30 youths remained at a smouldering bonfire at the beach as revellers retreated to cribs and the pub.
After several heavy showers through the night, Chinese lanterns and fireworks were let off from cribs until 2am.
At Papatowai the hot, sunny afternoon drew families to the beach for the Children's Big Dig, where about 80 children scoured the sand for film canisters containing tickets for prizes. Then the rain came.
The Papatowai and Districts Community Association postponed the bonfire and fireworks until last night.
