The overall atmosphere was upbeat and most police were happy to oblige when a steady stream of revellers with cellphones asked to be photographed with them as a New Year's Eve memento.
The Mount camping ground was packed with holidaymakers, including the Mitchell family and their close friends the Twyman, Savill and Van der Waardt families who all hailed from Howick.
Anna Twyman, 12, said her parents Janelle and Mark had been camping at the Mount camping ground for 45 years, and she and her siblings Laura and Matt were keen to follow the tradition.
"We all knew each other through our church and always catch up here every New Year's Eve. Mount Maunganui is absolutely my favourite place," she said.
Welcome Bay father Neil Crosby and his 5-year-old daughter, Elsie, were dancing up a storm to the music of Mount Maunganui band Spank the Funky which performed on The Hits Street stage.
"It's the first time for a long time our family have celebrated New Year's down here and we're doing so because it's now a child-friendly event. We're having a great time," he said.
Among those capturing the fireworks display on a cellphone camera was Shirley Morris from Papamoa Beach, who was on the Mount Main Beach with husband Terry and their friends, Sherie and Rob Warner and Nina McSweeney.
"It's fabulous and very cool," Mrs Morris said.
"It's great to see so many people hanging out in one place and no alcohol and, like me, everyone appears to be having a great time."
Tauranga City Council events manager Jo Bond said the night was a huge success.
She estimated there were a few thousand more at Mount Maunganui than there were last year.
The heavy rain held off until just after midnight and people seemed to be enjoying the entertainment and the atmosphere.
"We're very happy with how it went. It was a really nice night," she said.
Western Bay Area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton, who was at the Mount, said most people were well-behaved and that included the significant numbers of young people who poured into the patrolled area after 10.30pm.
There were a small number of alcohol-related skirmishes but nothing of major significance which was pleasing for police and everyone else involved in organising the celebrations, he said.
Bay of Plenty Prevention Inspector Scott Fraser said irresponsible drinking led to pockets of minor disorder with no significant incidents or injuries, and, by 1.30am New Year's Day, there had been 21 arrests - the lowest number in the event's history.
That included a 19-year-old man whose celebrations ended abruptly after he was seen kicking a police car near Mount Drury and charged with wilful damage.
Outside the Western Bay, arrest numbers for New Year's Eve were also down on previous years, with seven arrests in Rotorua, seven in Taupo and four in the Eastern Bay of plenty.
Mr Fraser said year after year, the Bay of Plenty was proving it had great communities and was a safe and friendly place to enjoy the summer.
Police staff's hard work and dedication to keeping people safe this New Year's was reflected in the outcome of fewer arrests and the positive feedback received from many members of the public around the district, he said.
Mr Fraser urged everyone to do their bit to ensure the safety of their friends and loved ones over the summer period.
