So it was perhaps surprising when the New Zealand Police Media Centre declared there was nothing to report after another busy WinterFest weekend in June.
Except, it was wrong — overlooking six assaults and a high-speed car chase during the weekend.
The incidents came to light only after the ODT tried again, contacting the district command centre (DCC) in Dunedin despite being told by some staff there to stop calling.
Media commentator Gavin Ellis said the Queenstown incidents should not be slipping through the cracks in Wellington.
"It may be in the greater scheme of things there may have been more important events that took place in other centres ... but for the people of Otago, six assaults and a police car chase in Queenstown is important news."
Police deputy chief executive of public affairs Karen Jones said she would look into the issue, which would be "highly unusual", and the system was still being bedded in.
"We never promised this would be perfect from day one."
The missed incidents were not the only examples of media efforts going awry since the Wellington media centre was established in May, as ODT reporters have faced increased difficulty accessing details and investigation updates.
Ms Jones said information could be delayed or withheld for operational and other reasons but would otherwise be released, and media queries were now less likely to be missed completely.
She said media appreciated the improvements and the centre expected to field 40,000 calls over the next year.
"We must be the busiest agency in New Zealand for media demand.
"I think we are meeting your level of demand."
