Tasman police say the new alcohol laws helped them on New Year's Eve as people flocked to the region to celebrate.
Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, bars have to close earlier and licensed premises will face harsher fines if they serve minors or intoxicated people. Police can also issue tickets to people drinking in public or using a fake ID.
Acting Tasman area commander Steve Greally says a lot of people are attracted to the area at New Year but police were helped by the new laws. "We see the benefit of them big time."
Mr Greally says they issued 33 tickets for minor alcohol-related offending. Police also made 37 arrests for assault, breach of liquor bans and disorderly behaviour.
He says the behaviour was good overall across Marlborough, Nelson and the West Coast and was comparable to a normal Saturday night.
Police in Canterbury, meanwhile, say they issued 18 infringement notices on New Year's Eve under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act.
