Wanaka gets the lion's share of the 17 officers allocated to the southern district in the third tranche of the Government's new staffing initiative, announced at the last election.
Queenstown and Cromwell each get two, Dunedin and Dunedin Central City four, Kaikorai Valley one, Winton one and Invercargill one.
All new positions in the district, which will now have 653 staff, will be advertised.
Supt Fraser said the final allocation recognised the need for police to strengthen resources in community policing, to reduce crime and youth offending.
Twelve of the new staff will be used to bolster community approaches to crime and youth offending, in the form of smaller community teams focusing on high-risk individuals and neighbourhoods, including the rural sector.
Key priorities include community policing, youth offending, victimisation, organised crime and misuse of alcohol.
The Wanaka station has nine sworn officers and services a population of 7002 (according to the 2006 census).
It will have 15 sworn officers when it reaches its full complement, including two community constables, a rural liaison officer, a youth aid officer, a senior sergeant and an extra general duties officer.
The new senior sergeant would enable the station to undertake strategic planning and supervise staff, Sgt Nicholson said.
Wanaka had 95 reported offences per sworn officer in 2006, compared with a district average of 52.
It also had the lowest ratio of sworn officers per resident - one to 875, compared with a district average of one to 555 and a national average of one to 536.
If the total day population in Wanaka (including visitors) was considered, the ratio in Wanaka increased to one to 1315.
The news pleased Wanaka police staff and Wanaka Community Board chairman Lyal Cocks.
"Obviously, the staff are delighted at the news. We've been working hard on these growth issues for some time and it's a positive, not only for the staff, but for the downstream effects for the community," Sgt Nicholson said.
Cr Cocks said population growth was one of the board's biggest issues when planning the town's community services.
Police input into growth planning was valued.
"I think it is wonderful. They've been putting a good case forward. Thank goodness the police management has seen the light," Cr Cocks said.
The board would continue to help police find space for a new station, Cr Cocks said.
The Wanaka Police Station occupies a small site in Helwick St and town planning meetings have addressed where a new station or emergency services centre could be sited.
The southern district has prepared a proposal for a new Wanaka station for police managers in Wellington but a decision is not expected until August next year.
Sgt Nicholson said the new officers could be housed at the Helwick St station in the meantime.
