"Fantastic" was the way police and community groups described the behaviour of young people who gathered at Otematata over the first two days of Labour weekend.
That was in contrast to last year, when bad behaviour caused an outcry in the community and led to it, together with the police, emergency services, the Waitaki District Council and Students Against Driving Drunk, coming up with plans to address the issue this year.
And it worked.
Senior Sergeant Jason McCoy, of Oamaru, said yesterday there had been no arrests and the only incident reported to police was a claim a car had been stolen.
Last year, Otematata endured drunkeness and vandalism, and the township's volunteer fire brigade was pelted with bottles every time it was called to put out illegal fires at campsites.
Snr Sgt McCoy said Friday and Saturday nights were "fantastic".
"Obviously, the community, police, emergency services, council and young people working together has [been] really good and it's gone really well. We had no issues in relation to young people at all," he said.
Part of that was due to a "Youth Camp" set up at Loch Laird, where 80 young people camped on Friday night and about 120 on Saturday night, under controlled conditions, supervising and helping each other out while still enjoying themselves.
The presence of the Waitaki Guardians, who helped head off trouble before any developed, also had an influence.
Police had five extra staff at Otematata, along with patrol vehicles and a "paddy wagon".
Police had the rural drink driving unit at Otematata on Friday and Saturday nights, breath-testing everyone who drove through the town.
Two drivers were processed for excess breath alcohol, a 17-year-old with 600mcg and a 33-year-old with a "disappointing very high" 1060mcg.
"One pleasing aspect was the number of people walking to and from the hotel," he said.
Youth camp supervisor Scott Ridley said the teenagers were a "really great community" and there had been no problems.
A bonfire on Saturday night, along with music and lighting, kept them entertained, some staying up most of the night.
The bonfire was provided by Waitaki Rural Fire, with some members keeping the teenagers company through the night.
"What was really great was the interaction and respect shown between the kids, police, Waitaki Guardians and supervisors. It's broken down a lot of barriers, which is really great," Mr Ridley said.
Both Snr Sgt McCoy and Mr Ridley paid tribute to the input into the weekend and ideas put forward by Students Against Driving Drunk representatives.
Mr Ridley said that, based on the success of the youth camp, it may be repeated next year.
