Central Otago's only public New Year's Eve party has been cancelled, the organisers citing increasing costs and red tape, among the reasons.
Promote Dunstan has run the Clyde street party for at least 10 years but it always ran at a loss, group president Rory Butler said.
Its Easter wine and food festival helped to cover that loss, but increasing red tape around aspects such as liquor licensing, street closures and qualified security staff made it ''basically, too difficult''.
When the street party began, it was a family focused event but that had changed over the years and now attracted many young adults which led to problems with those under the age of 18 as they could only be admitted if accompanied by a parent or similar adult.
Attendance in general was also dropping, with many people choosing to turn up in the last half hour before midnight, instead of paying to enter earlier.
Mr Butler said the event cost about $12,000 to put on and typically generated $9000 or $10,000.
The decision was made at the group's meeting about two months ago but it had been looming for some time.
Two years ago the group almost stopped the event, but Dunstan Hotel, which was situated inside the cordon for the event, helped with security, allowing it to continue.
He said it was sad to have to cancel but it was also a relief.
''It has been a stressful time for the organisation but we recognise that it's a nice event on the Clyde calendar, for Alexandra, too ... It is with considerable reluctance that we can't do it anymore.''
Dunstan Hotel publican Tom Blaikie said he was ''very disappointed'' with the news.
He said without an organised event for people to attend, the behaviour of some could be a cause for concern.
However, it was not likely he would revive it.
''If they're losing money, we can't afford to do it.''
Promote Alexandra chairman Shayne Hitchcock said the group was aware Promote Dunstan had stepped aside but it did not have any plans for another New Year's Eve event, though it was open to suggestions.
