Wanaka sub-area commander Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell said police had made 28 arrests since Christmas Day - during a time when visitors congregate in the resort to begin their holidays.
"It really has been a non-eventful New Year," he said.
Police made one arrest on Sunday evening - a 28-year-old Australian man for offensive language, after he allegedly verbally abused patrolling officers in the town, Snr Sgt Grindell said.
The majority of arrests in Wanaka have been for "minor" offences, such as liquor-ban breaches, wilful damage, disorderly and offensive behaviour and fighting in the street.
Wanaka community policing team leader Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said Upper Clutha towns were a "family-orientated" destination for visitors to celebrate New Year.
A partnership between the Queenstown Lakes District Council, Wanaka's liquor licensees, local camping-ground operators and community policing officers had paid dividends during the past five years, he said.
Snr Sgt Grindell said police exercised discretion towards revellers during the holiday period.
"The policing approach is definitely not what it used to be.
"We take a firm approach, but not as hard-line as in the past.
"It certainly appears to be working."
Visiting police officers from Dunedin, brought to Wanaka to cope with the influx of revellers, had commented on the responsible ethic of bar managers.
"The feedback we've got has been very positive.
"They've been very impressed with the way bars were managed during New Year's Eve,"A tolerant approach towards revellers meant as intoxication levels increased among bar patrons licensees chose to stop serving rather than asking people to leave premises, which lessened the probability of any confrontation, Snr Sgt Grindell said.
Patrolling officers from Dunedin were "full of praise for publicans", Snr Sgt Grindell said.
Despite a reported brawl at the Lake Hawea Camping Ground, which led to about 120 youths being evicted, police were "very pleased" with the overall behaviour of campers around the district.
Police were called to the camp ground early on New Year's Day, but the incident had already been resolved by the time officers arrived, he said.
"We know there were a number of evictions, but the security measures and in-house policies the managers have in place, worked," Snr Sgt Grindell said.
There had been one subsequent complaint, laid by an upset camping ground visitor who said his vehicle had been damaged in the aftermath of the incident, Snr Sgt Grindell said.
