Organisers of Queenstown's celebrated Winter Festival say the big winter party still has a strong future, despite the withdrawal of a major sponsor and complaints about drinking.
Destination Queenstown which runs the 10-day event says this year's, the 39th, was as popular as ever with thousands of visitors and locals turning out for the 60-odd events.
"It went extremely well, there was great engagement and lots of good fun," Destination Queenstown chief executive Graham Budd said.
NZSki has complained to police about night-skiers illegally drinking on the slopes, and a 22-year-old Christchurch man was arrested yesterday after being allegedly caught smashing an ice sculpture. He was charged with wilful damage and would appear at Queenstown District Court on July 15, local Senior Constable Chris Blackford said.
Questions about policing during the Winter Festival were referred by Mr Blackford to his Senior Sergeant John Fookes, who was unavailable for comment today.