Last year the events were cancelled because of Covid, but this year stages were set up in Roy’s Bay (Wanaka) and Queenstown Bay for evening entertainment and dancing.
There was a strong family feel earlier in day in Queenstown, as visitors sizzled in the hot sun, lazed on the sand, swam in the lake, lined up for boat trips, and dined in restaurants.
Children enjoyed entertainment by circus performers and listening to music at Earnslaw Park during the early part of the evening.
Queenstown Senior Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson said the vibe was "pretty good", with sunshine and music.
A 24-hour liquor ban was in place on the Queenstown lakefront, and police were preventing people from bringing alcohol into the central business district.
Queenstown was packed between 11pm and midnight, when people arrived in force for the fireworks display, but Snr Sgt Wilkinson said he was very happy with the outcome.
There were only three arrests overnight, one for disorderly behaviour and two for fighting.
The vast majority of people were in good spirits and well-behaved, he said.
Wanaka
In Wanaka, Tarras locals Russell and Dallas Baird were ringing in the new year with grandchildren Indi and Peter Patterson, who were looking forward to the fireworks and atmosphere.
"This is our first time. [We’ve] lived here for 40 years and this is our first time in Wanaka for the New Year," Mr Baird said.
A 24-hour liquor ban was also in place for the Wanaka event, which included face painting and family friendly games from 2pm-5pm.
Two stages were set up at either end of the Wanaka lakefront car park and a section of Ardmore St, from the Lake Wanaka Centre to Lake Bar, was closed off to vehicles in the evening.
Hundreds of teenagers — many from Christchurch — had congregated in the area by 10.45pm.
Support services including police, Red Frogs, security teams and local volunteers were actively patrolling the crowds in Wanaka and Queenstown.
Cardrona Valley
In the Cardrona Valley, Rhythm & Alps festival performers marked the start of the new year with a countdown on stage, as the estimated crowd of 10,000 echoed their chants.
As midnight struck, the Pisa Range was lit up by fireworks as the crowd cheered.
Out-of-town taxis lined up outside the festival waited expectantly, charging $150 for a trip back into Wanaka, while local taxi providers were quoting half that price.
Some festival-goers reported paying $300 for a one-way trip home.
At the Luggate Hotel’s New Year’s Eve Show, Wanaka-raised singer-songwriter Jody Direen performed for crowd of 300, supported by Arun O’Connor.
Oamaru and Southland
In Oamaru, the Party at the Gardens featured acrobatic duo MulletMan and Mim and live music by Diamond Blue and the Heavy Feathers.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said it was fantastic people could celebrate this year after Covid forced the event’s cancellation last year.
In Invercargill, the streets were eerily quiet as the town emptied out.
Te Anau, however, was bursting at the seams, its Party in the Park event co-ordinator Shane Mercer said.
The event featured a DJ, a bonfire, children’s entertainment and food vendors.
"It was very successful. We’re very happy with it. There were a lot of people in town, and there still is, to be fair," Mr Mercer said.
