Police were called to remove a man swimming in Lake Wanaka just before midnight as crowds packed the shoreline to wait for the fireworks. PHOTO: KERRIE WATERWORTH : New Year's Eve around the South

The band Racing performs before the sold-out 10th annual Rhythm and Alps music festival in Cardrona Valley as the sun sets on New Year’s Eve. PHOTO: KERRIE WATERWORTH : New Year's Eve around the South

A busker draws a crowd on Queenstown’s waterfront. PHOTO: GUY WILLIAMS : New Year's Eve around the South

A smaller-than-usual crowd saw in the new year on Queenstown’s waterfront, enjoying a 10-minute fireworks display launched from barges in Queenstown Bay. PHOTO: GUY WILLIAMS : New Year's Eve around the South

People bid farewell to 2020 with a song and dance at the Party at the Harbour in Oamaru. PHOTO: RUBY HEYWARD : New Year's Eve around the South

Katie Milne (5), of Invercargill, has fun in the sack race at the Papatowai Beach Carnival. PHOTO: RICHARD DAVIDSON : New Year's Eve around the South