Rain in the region may have put a slight dampener on New Year’s frivolities but police were left thanking the weather gods.
Thousands of people turned up to see in 2017 at Dunedin’s Octagon, with sheltered space at a premium as the drizzle hit about 11pm.
Dunedin City Council community events co-ordinator Marilyn Anderson said the night went "splendidly" even with the showers but he noticed the crowds quickly dispersed once the five-minute fireworks extravaganza was over.
A police spokeswoman said the region’s revellers were "generally well behaved" and there were only a few arrests.
Dunedin’s merrymakers led the arrest charts with 18, closely followed by Invercargill with 14, Queenstown with nine and Wanaka four.
There was one arrest at the Rhythm and Alps music festival, police confirmed.
The majority of arrests were for violence and disorder.
Despite the relatively good-natured celebrations, there was an uncommon occurrence on a Wanaka street.
There were multiple reports of damaged letterboxes on Aubery Rd and a suggestion youths armed with bats may have been behind it.
Police said they were assisted by a good sprinkling of rain in most areas around midnight, which saw a lot of people head home.
In Dunedin, the thunderous sound of the Robbie Burns cannon ended 2016 with a boom.
And it seemed the festive occasion brought out folks’ romantic side, sort of.
Auckland teenager Dylan Manahi said his goal for the night was "just about having a good time. That’s basically it, bro."
When asked to elaborate on his plans for the new year, they were equally straightforward.
"Getting the girls."
Steve Coll and Tracey Taylor, of Dunedin, snagged the perfect spot to enjoy the entertainment together from outside The Terrace Restaurant and Bar, but had different ideas of what 2017 might have in store.
"Chilling out and relaxing," was Mr Coll’s verdict, while his partner was aiming for "a ring on my finger".
They were feeling the love in Oamaru, too.
When the big hand reached 12, one of the town’s favourite penny-farthing riders, Oliver Briggs, gave his dog Tuppence a kiss.
An estimated 5000 soaked up the atmosphere in Wanaka with long queues snaking out of Ardmore St’s bars and restaurants.
Fewer than expected — nearly 10,000 people — turned out for the occasion in Queenstown, which was one of the few places that managed to avoid the showers.
- Robb Kidd
