Sgt Watt, of Queenstown police, said most offenders were arrested immediately after any relevant incidents so there was ''no requirement to utilise the cameras''.
Sgt Watt said the monitors at the Queenstown police station displaying live scenes were not manned during the festivities but police were considering this option for times when large numbers of visitors were in town, such as the Winter Festival.
The resort's camera system, consisting of 10 closed-circuit television cameras, was installed immediately before the Winter Festival last year, but suffered teething problems during its first weekend.
Queenstown police were supported by out-of-town officers during the Christmas period, and on New Year's Eve nearly 45 out-of-town officers boosted numbers to nearly 70 officers on duty. The number of arrests was slightly down on the previous year, Sgt Watt said, despite more than 1000 young people camping at the Lakeview Holiday Park.
''Their behaviour was in check.''
Arrests included a Christchurch man found in a central car park with a large quantity of cannabis, resealable plastic bags and cash and an allegedly intoxicated French woman who crashed into a taxi then suggested New Zealand authorities should share responsibility for allowing her to drive.
