W\u0101naka yet again proved it is the South Island\u2019s place to be on New Year\u2019s Eve, with crowds of all ages taking part in the celebrations.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of people gathered at the W\u0101naka lakefront on Wednesday night to welcome the new year, enjoying fireworks and live music.<\/p>\n
A New Zealand Police spokeswoman said throughout W\u0101naka, Queenstown and Dunedin there were no major events on New Year\u2019s Eve which needed police intervention.<\/p>\n
W\u0101naka and Queenstown both had one arrest each.<\/p>\n
In W\u0101naka, a 29-year-old male was arrested for alleged disorderly behaviour in a bar and assaulting police.<\/p>\n
While in Queenstown a 19-year-old man was arrested after punching a store window.<\/p>\n
He has been charged with wilful damage and is set to appear in the Queenstown District Court on January 5.<\/p>\n
Red Frogs spokeswoman Shannon Thomson said it was a real privilege to be able to care for young people.<\/p>\n
“We are happy to be there to help keep them safe, but we are also glad we aren\u2019t the only ones. There is a whole range of people that are there to look after them.<\/p>\n
“Hato Hone St John, Police, security and council all come together to look after our young people.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s a collaborative effort to not only keep young people safe but all of the patrons and visitors to the Queenstown Lakes area,” she said.<\/p>\n
Mrs Thomson said throughout the night Red Frog volunteers handed out 2100 cups of water and about 1000 pancakes to those celebrating at the lakefront.<\/p>\n
“We had around 35 volunteers on New Year\u2019s Eve who came from across the country and Australia to help give support to young people.”<\/p>\n
Mrs Thomson said the behaviour of the crowd was on a par with what they had seen in the past.<\/p>\n
“It was the busiest night, just heaps of people.<\/p>\n
“But kids have really started looking out for their friends and making sure each other has the help they need. It\u2019s really great to see,” she said.<\/p>\n
The W\u0101naka lakefront event was one of seven across the country attended by Red Frogs.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, 15 minutes down the road 10,000 people were attending Rhythm and Alps festival where internationally recognised artists such as Dizzee Rascal, Santigold and Synthony welcomed the new year.<\/p>\n