Queenstown police are praising the behaviour of revellers ringing in the new year in the resort.
Acting sergeant Blair Duffy said 19 people were arrested in Queenstown from 6pm New Year's Eve to 7am yesterday.
"That's well below average and well below what was expected," he said.
The arrests were well down on the 30 last New Year's Eve.
"The liquor ban, high police presence and the responsible attitude of the crowd seems to have kept trouble at bay.
Queenstown seems to attract families and an older crowd," he said.
Extra staff from Invercargill and Dunedin helped boost police presence to about 60 officers patrolling the streets.
He praised the Queenstown Lakes District Council contracted security staff, who were patrolling and checking for alcohol at two checkpoints leading into Earnslaw Park.
"They were an extra set of eyes for us. They were a valuable contribution and did a really good job," he said.
Most of the arrests were alcohol-related, with four people arrested for breaching the resort's 24-hour liquor ban, six for disorderly behaviour and six detained for detoxification.
A 32-year-old Southland man was arrested for assaulting a woman in a pub at 4.30am yesterday.
"He allegedly slapped the woman and pushed her over. She dislocated her knee and was taken to hospital," he said.
The man was bailed to appear in the Queenstown District Court this month.
A 25-year-old Timaru man was found lying on a Queenstown street corner with facial cuts early Thursday morning.
Sgt Duffy said the man was found by a police patrol near the intersection of Coronation Dr and Sydney St at about 3.45am.
The man, who was intoxicated, was taken to Lakes District Hospital where he was treated for a cut lip and a broken toe.
"He'd certainly been in a fight or assault. He has been spoken to and offered limited information other than the offender drove off in a black Subaru Forester," Sgt Duffy said.
Police were asking for any witnesses to come forward with information.
Sergeant Bruce Martin said four people were processed for drink-driving at a checkpoint on Frankton Rd yesterday.
Queenstown Lakes District Council events co-ordinator Jan Maxwell said the entertainment and fireworks at Earnslaw Park were a great success.
The weather was dull and a bit chilly, but dry, she said.
"The weather didn't seem to deter people. The wind died down and the rain stayed away so it turned out good," she said.
About 10,000 people turned out to watch Wakatipu band The Medicine Men and Dunedin band Oxo Cubans playing.
Wakatipu High School PTA took advantage of the crowds to fundraise.
Ms Maxwell said about $2000 was raised between a sausage sizzle and sales of neon glow sticks and other trinkets.
New Year arrests
- Total: 19
- Detox: 6
- Breach of liquor ban: 4
- Disorderly behaviour: 6
- Assaults: 2
- Intentional damage: 1
