Nine people were arrested for a variety of assault and disorder offences, down from 11 a year ago and 14 the year before.
A police statement said crowds in Queenstown were "generally well behaved" and dispersed quickly after the midnight fireworks display coincided with showers.
A Wellington-based police media adviser said the most unusual incident was the discovery by Dublin St residents of a 27-year-old Christchurch stranger asleep in their bed when they returned home about 4am.
He was given a pre-charge warning.
Two people were processed for drink-driving, one after being stopped while driving at 10kmh without lights on. There were two non-injury accidents: the first involved three vehicles in a nose-to-tail crash in Frankton Rd at 12.30am, while in the second, a 55-year-old Auckland man lost control on an unsealed section of Kinloch Rd, hit a tree and came to rest in a ditch.
He was warned for careless driving.An estimated 8000 people of all ages and nationalities enjoyed a warm, calm night until the rain arrived, with no sign of conspicuously drunk and disorderly behaviour.
Clone Radio, The Strait Shooters, Rock Felony and LA Social performed on the main stage in Earnslaw Park, while DJs kept the crowd dancing on a second stage on Marine Parade.
After the countdown to midnight, Queenstown Bay was lit up by a huge fireworks display.
Queenstown Lakes District Council communications manager Michele Poole said the crowd on the waterfront appeared to be ‘‘slightly’’ smaller than usual.
It was possible more younger people had celebrated New Year’s Eve at the Rhythm & Alps music festival — which drew 7000 to Robrosa Station in the Cardrona Valley — or in Wanaka than in previous years.
She had found it easier to move around the waterfront, and noticed a "really relaxed atmosphere".
"From what I saw in town last night there was a pretty happy vibe."
