Mr Bush and Southern District police superintendent Bob Burns spoke to the Otago Daily Times on New Year's Eve. They also undertook walking a Queenstown beat.
"It's really important for people like Bob and I to get out there when these things are happening and understand what our staff are dealing with," Mr Bush said.
He said the beat had gone "very well", and although the resort was busy, there were no major incidents.
There were 24 arrests in the resort during New Year festivities.
Alleged offences included breach of the liquor ban and disorderly behaviour.
There were eight arrests for detoxification purposes and four alleged drink-drivers.
The road policing results for the past few days before New Year's Eve showed the message was really "getting through", Mr Bush said.
"People really should be acknowledged and congratulated for the fact that they are being really responsible with alcohol," Mr Bush said.
About 1500 people had been processed in tests for drink-driving in Central Otago on December 30, with all found to be under the legal limit.
"So the message is getting through, which is positive stuff," Mr Bush said.
Messages about road safety were also being taken on board, he said.
"For the whole year it's going to be a record - the best result since 1952."
The prevention policing work done before New Year's Eve was another effective national initiative, Supt Burns said.
"A lot of the staff do quite a lot of prevention-type stuff about the liquor bans and about the expected behaviours, and it ends up being quite a good night once the platform has been set."
It was best to get out early and interact with people in order to "spot the trouble before it really gets out of control, and nip it in the bud," Mr Bush said.
Supt Burns reminded people holidaying in Otago that if they were drinking at all they should do so in moderation, especially when the weather was so hot.
He wished for everyone to have a good time this summer.
"At the end of the day we are here to make sure people enjoy their holidays and head home without any tragedies and without having to spend any time in court."
