Dozens of police will be on the beat as tens of thousands throng to party hot spots across Otago for New Year's Eve.
Warm and clear weather is expected across the region and the temperature is set to swelter further on New Year's Day.
• Going country for New Year's Eve
Acting Otago Lakes-Central area commander Senior Sergeant John Fookes said up to 90,000 revellers were expected in the Queenstown Lakes district for New Year's Eve and police from Dunedin and Invercargill were in the area to provide reinforcement.
"For New Year's Eve there's in excess of 50 [officers rostered on] in Queenstown,'' he said. "There's a slightly lesser number in Wanaka and in Central Otago there's a handful.''
It was hoped the additional officers and a 24-hour liquor ban in Queenstown and Wanaka's CDBs would curb antisocial behaviour.
"The whole idea of the liquor ban is to make sure things don't get out of hand," Snr Sgt Fookes said. "To make sure it's family-friendly and everyone is having a good time.
"Our biggest issue this time of year is the sheer volume of people and the sheer volume of vehicles on the road.''
Marked and unmarked patrols and checkpoints would be cracking down on drink-driving, he said.
The officer reiterated any drivers pulled over could expect to be breath-tested and a speed tolerance of 4km remained in place on all roads.
Acting Otago Coastal area commander Inspector Kelvin Lloyd said police were prepared for 20,000 revellers in the Octagon in Dunedin for New Year's Eve.
More than 20 officers would patrol the central city as well as front-line response officers.
"We won't be tolerating any antisocial behaviour,'' he said.
"There's always an element that will act in that manner but it's a small minority and in general it's after the large crowds have gone and alcohol plays a part in it.''
The CBD liquor ban would remain in place and police would target anyone breaking it.
Police would also have a presence in party hot spots in Balclutha and Oamaru, he said.
Road policing sections would also be carrying out breath-tests and setting up checkpoints around the Otago Coastal area to "ensure that any alcohol-impaired drivers are picked up''.
"A successful road policing campaign for us would be catching no-one. Make [safe transport] plans before you go out.''
Insp Lloyd also called for people to be vigilant with their vehicles and valuables after a recent string of thefts from cars in public car parks in Dunedin. Any suspicious activity in car parks in the central city should be reported immediately.
The MetService has predicted fine weather across Otago for New Year's Eve and an even warmer New Year's Day as predicted temperatures climb towards 30degC.
MetService meteorologist Peter Little said a cool southerly change set to sweep up the country today would abate by tomorrow, making way for a warm evening to celebrate the New Year's arrival.
"Warm and mostly dry weather is set to continue into the new year,'' Mr Little said.
"The good news is, for folk that want to go out into the wee small hours, it's looking mainly fine. Central Otago could push up into the mid-20s for New Year's Eve.''
Even better weather was predicted for New Year's Day, Mr Little said.
Holiday hot spots Queenstown, Wanaka, Alexandra and the Mackenzie Basin would get the best of the weather, with temperatures set to reach 30degC on New Year's Day.
Dunedin, Oamaru and Balclutha could expect temperatures in the low to mid-20s.
Insp Lloyd had a simple message for New Year revellers in the region: "For those coming into town, we want them to enjoy themselves, but we want to have them act responsibly and for those coming in groups - look after your mates.''
Snr Sgt Fookes echoed that sentiment and called for calm on the region's roads.
"Be forgiving. Show each other respect and if you see anything that is dangerous, give us a call.''
● Any suspicious or dangerous activity should be reported immediately to police on 111.
