Excellent weather, a beautiful lake view and good music drew a sizable crowd to the Wānaka lakefront.
Many bars, restaurants and takeaway shops were open late and packed with people getting food and drink before the festivities began.
On the lakefront, two stages were used in entertaining the crowds — a band playing family-friendly music and the other with two DJs.
Red Frogs spokeswoman Shannon Thomson said the organisation had been successful over the previous two days, providing water and pancakes and keeping people safe, especially intoxicated youth.
Security and police were present, with a significant number on the lakefront.
Queenstown and Wānaka event manager Craig Gallagher said he was pleased to see families, locals and visitors welcoming the new year.
"The sun was shining, which meant everyone got to enjoy the local bands and DJs. The build-up to the fireworks was something special, and a great way to bring in 2025."
"Over the evening, probably 1500, 2000 people coming and going," he said.
"The weather was better than last year in that it wasn’t raining."
Midnight was marked with traditional music and confetti cannons.
"A piper does Auld Lang Syne and inevitably gets enough encouragement that he carries on for another five minutes with a different medley of tunes — that was all good fun," Mr Kircher said.
"They really went the extra yard and did a lot of volunteer work to make it happen."
In Invercargill, the weather played nice for the crowds gathered at the Dusk on Don New Year’s Eve street party.
The sunshine was appreciated by the different generations gathered for the food and festivities.
Great-grandmother Delwyn Halder, of Invercargill, was joined by three more generations of her family to celebrate the end of the 2024.
"It’s a good thing to come to where the family can come — that’s what I liked most about it.
"Normally on New Year’s Eve, it’s for the adults ... but this involves the family."
She was looking forward to 2025 as she was expecting a new great-grandchild in the next few months.
In Pounawea, the weather held for people to enjoy what may be the the last New Year’s Eve fireworks event.
"At a rough guess I reckon there was 1000 people here.
"The weather was actually quite kind to us ... It wasn’t overly warm but at least it was fine," she said.
In December, organisers signalled the event might come to an end as no-one had stepped forward to organise future celebrations.
However, there had been murmurs of people taking up the reins for next year’s event, Ms Mason said.
Down the road, the rain stayed away and even a little sunshine made an appearance for the Papatowai Carnival and Big Dig.
Despite the cooler-than-usual conditions, local crib owners and visitors to the remote Catlins holiday destination turned out in force to enjoy traditional fair games such as the sack race, Jaffa smashing and the chocolate wheel.
Long-standing organiser Wayne Allen was back for carnival centrepiece the Big Dig, after an absence due to family illness last year, and said the outing made it more than 30 years at the helm for him.
"The sun might not quite be shining at the moment, but you can see by the smiles that everyone is really enjoying themselves," he said.
