A huge and good-natured crowd packed Queenstown's waterfront to the gunnels to watch a massive New Year's Eve fireworks display.
An estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people of all ages and nationalities enjoyed the best New Year's Eve weather seen in the resort for many years.
The crowds on Marine Parade and Earnslaw Park were notable for the large number of foreign visitors and family groups as well as young partygoers.
The resort's CBD liquor ban and a beefed-up police presence meant conspicuously drunk and disorderly behaviour appeared to be at a minimum in the build-up to midnight.
Calm weather and an additional pontoon for launching skyrockets made for a supercharged midnight fireworks display.
The pyrotechnics were launched by Christchurch toddler Grace Austin after her father Leon successfully bid for the opportunity at a charity auction. She was celebrating her first birthday on New Year's Eve.
