"New Year's Eve is for celebrating, so wherever you are, at home or at a friend's place, make sure you're surrounded by people you trust."
He said the safety of residents and visitors came first.
There would be midnight fireworks from a central city location to be seen across the city.
Council also added a family-friendly fireworks display at 9.30pm, which would light up the sky from a barge at the Tauranga waterfront.
"You've got the choice: celebrating at home, at a friend's place or at one of the NYE events around town, such as the under 18s event Frequency NYE at the ASB Arena," Mr Brownless said.
Frequency NYE was introduced as part of this year's changed event offering, to meet the demand for an alcohol-free youth event in the city.
Frequency NYE tickets included a free bus ride to and from the event. Uzabus would pick up and drop off concert-goers in Greerton, Windermere, Brookfield, Otumoetai, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Welcome Bay.
Area commander inspector Clifford Paxton said there would be a strong police presence in Mount Maunganui on New Year's Eve.
BE PREPARED FOR NYE
- plan ahead before you go out
- being out and about: look after yourself, your mates and your belongings.
- getting around town and home: a graceful exit is as important as a grand entrance - remember to plan how you're getting home and around town