Police say they are frustrated at the behaviour of Queenstown's winter revellers after almost 30 incidents, most involving alcohol, at the weekend.
More than a dozen arrests were made between Friday night and late yesterday, police said.
Many of the revellers were celebrating the start of the Queenstown Winter Festival.
But festival organisers were quick to point out none of the arrests was believed to have occurred inside organised festival events. Senior Sergeant Keith Newell said Saturday night, in particular, had been ''hectic''.
''[It] was extremely busy - on a par with a New Year's Eve here and we are very disappointed at the number of people who were intoxicated, causing disorder, assaults, fights and drink driving.
''We find it very frustrating.''
Seven drink driving arrests were made, Snr Sgt Newell said.
They included an 18 year old woman who had been at the police station to see her boyfriend who was in the cells.
She was later stopped at a checkpoint at 3.20am on Saturday and found to have a breath alcohol level of 250mcg, he said. She was returned to the station.
Police dealt with seven incidents involving disorderly behaviour and assaults in the resort, and an indecent assault.
A woman (18), from Invercargill, was grabbed on the buttocks by an unknown male while walking in Hallenstein St about 12.30am on Saturday, Snr Sgt Newell said.
The assailant ran from the scene. He was described as being of Indian appearance and about 170cm tall. Queenstown Winter Festival director Lisa Buckingham said she was disappointed to hear of the poor behaviour of a minority.
Organisers encouraged responsible behaviour, supplying free water and restricting alcohol sales. An estimated 10,000 people attended Friday's opening night.
• Police have praised the behaviour of crowds attending two major events in Dunedin at the weekend.
About 22,500 fans filled Forsyth Barr Stadium for the Highlanders' Super rugby playoff on Saturday night.
An estimated record 10,000 people turned out in the city centre on the same night for the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival, organisers said.
Senior Sergeant Craig Brown, of Dunedin, said police made five arrests in the 24 hours to 5pm yesterday.
Three were for fighting, one for disorderly behaviour and one for intoxication.
''That's pretty good considering the number of people in town,'' Snr Sgt Brown said.
