KEY POINTS:
More than 500 people were arrested around the country on New Year's Eve but police say most partygoers were generally very well behaved.
Most of the arrests were for things like disorderly behaviour and breaches of the liquor ban. Police were called to a number of serious
crimes - from a domestic in Taupo which resulted in a family dog being stabbed to death to an assault in South Auckland.
AUCKLAND
Fifty people were arrested in the inner city for offences ranging from assault and fighting in public to breaches of the liquor ban.
In South Auckland, police were called out to an aggravated robbery of a superette in Bairds Rd, Otara, at 10pm.
They also dealt with a suspicious house fire in Rata Vine Drive, Wiri, at 2.15am and an assault in which a man was struck with a bat in Manurewa at 7.30am.
The man is recovering in hospital with moderate injuries.
MT MAUNGANUI
An estimated 30,000 people converged on Mt Maunganui. They were greeted by around 200 police officers who made 235 arrests. There were also two assaults at parties.
GISBORNE
There were only 15 arrests in Gisborne, which was hosting the annual Rhythm and Vines festival. Senior Sergeant Maui Aben said the disorderly-behaviour arrests were mostly in the centre of town, well away from the concert venue.
ROTORUA
Rotorua police arrested 85 people for alcohol-related offences, nine of whom were between the ages of 13 and 16. Despite the arrests, officers said most New Year revellers had a positive and responsible attitude to their partying.
TAUPO
Crowd numbers were down on previous years but the free concert and fireworks display in Riverside Park were well received. Twenty people were arrested, mainly for breaches of the liquor ban, being grossly intoxicated and acting disorderly.
Police were called to help deal with a crowd of rowdy partygoers at Reid's Farm camping ground while firefighters attempted to extinguish several large fires. There was an armed offenders squad callout at 3am to a property where a couple were having an argument and a dog was fatally stabbed.
WELLINGTON
Police arrested 50 people for a variety of offences from fighting and assault to breaches of the liquor ban.
Inspector Simon Perry said police were encouraged by the fact that a large number of partygoers were using taxis and shuttlevans.
NELSON BAYS
Nelson Bays area commander Brian McGurk reported 17 arrests during the night. He said this year "was possibly the quietest, and with the best-natured crowds we have had in a long time".
WANAKA
Up to 3000 people celebrated the arrival of the New Year at a number of council-run events on the lakefront. Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said most people were well behaved, with only 13 arrests.
More than 1100 motorists were also stopped and breath-tested during the night but only one was driving under the influence of alcohol.
CHRISTCHURCH & DUNEDIN
Christchurch police say they made a number of arrests, but the 10,000-strong crowd in Cathedral Square for the midnight countdown was largely peaceful.
A "good family crowd" of 8000 to 10,000 converged on Dunedin's Octagon to enjoy festivities there, and there was little trouble.
INVERCARGILL
Police arrested 23 people in what was a busier New Year's Eve than last year's.
additional reporting: NZPA
