A happy crowd at the Rhythm and Alps festival near Wanaka on New Year's Eve. Photo: Gregor Richardson : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

Ready to bring the fun to Wanaka’s New Year celebration are Tiffany Bindon (Firecracker Fairy) and Milly B (Heart), both of Queenstown. Photo: Gregor Richardson : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

People were flocking to bars in Wanaka through the afternoon. Photo: Gregor Richardson : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

Street performer Kozo Kaos entertains crowds on Queenstown’s lakefront. Photo: Cass Marrett : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

On the Wanaka jetty on New Year's Eve were (from left) Nate Davis, Elliot Wilson, and Ben Perkins all aged 13, of Gore. PHOTO: MARJORIE COOK : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

Tiki Taane had the crowd at his fingertips at Rhythm and Alps on New Year's Eve. Photo: Gregor Richardson : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

Wanaka volunteer Jenny Howe (right) assists Rhythm & Alps patrons with bus tickets from Wanaka. From left, Stephanie Masson, Lucy Kirk-Smith, Hannah Ostick and Tom Hardy, all from Auckland and aged 25. PHOTO: MARJORIE COOK : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

The Scan Squad, keeping people safe at Rhythm and Alps, are: from left, Rebecca, Annabel and Gabby. Photo: Gregor Richardson : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

Rhythm & Alps patrons catch buses from Wanaka to Cardrona Valley. PHOTO: MARJORIE COOK : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

Enjoying the lake on New Year's Eve in Wanaka were (from left) Fergus Millar (14), of Dunedin, Sam Lawson (14), of Dunedin, George Holland (14), of Wanaka, and Oscar Crowe (13) of Wanaka : PHOTO: MARJORIE COOK : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

A pub crawl stops at a spot on Queenstown’s Camp St. Photo: Cass Marrett : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

Police patrol Earnslaw Park in Queenstown as as young people flood in. Photo: Cass Marrett : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

Darryl Gallagher (left), Leah Munro, Jason Hardy and Jennifer Hardy, all of Christchurch, enjoy a seat in willow tree on the lakefront in Wanaka. Photo: Marjorie Cook : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

Security guards patrol Ardmore St in Wanaka. Photo: Marjorie Cook : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka

Coopah (11) and Noah (9) Wilson (back) with Orlando Scott (5) (front left), Beau Williams (6), Jordan Williams (4) and Elsie Bennett (3), all of Christchurch, at the Wanaka skate park. Photo: Marjorie Cook : New Year party starts in Queenstown, Wanaka