He was flown to hospital by helicopter with serious injuries to his head and collarbone and remained in Whangarei Hospital yesterday.
In Paihia, a festive and well-behaved crowd, slightly smaller than in previous years, counted down to the New Year and Business Paihia's annual fireworks display, launched at midnight from a barge moored in the Veronica Channel.
However, one teenager who police say drank a whole bottle of vodka while staying in a campground at Paihia, was taken to hospital about 5pm on Wednesday in a critical condition.
Senior Sergeant Rob Huys said the teenager had been released yesterday and was extremely lucky to recover.
"Drinking such quantities of spirits can have dire if not fatal consequences."
Mr Huys said a number of checkpoints around Whangarei yesterday morning nabbed a number of drivers who failed breath tests.
At one checkpoint in Kamo seven drivers were caught over the new level with more than 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath between 5am and 8am.
"If people are going to sleep it off they have to make sure it's for a decent amount of time," Mr Huys said.
Senior Sergeant Peter Robinson, who oversaw the police operation in Paihia, said 13 people had been arrested as of 1am on New Year's Day, most for disorderly behaviour and fighting.
One man found to be carrying a knife was charged with possession of an offensive weapon.
However, of the 13 only two to three were likely to end up in court. The rest would be issued with pre-charge warnings.
Mr Robinson said the number of revellers appeared to be down on last year.
"Overall everyone seems pretty happy and upbeat. There's been the odd bit of disorder and aggression, but that's been from individuals rather than the majority."
A few revellers were taken to the temporary police base in Paihia Memorial Hall to sober up.
About 30 officers were on duty in Paihia, mainly from the Mid North but with back-up from Auckland and Whangarei.
This year police used two prison vans instead of a modified shipping container to hold the arrested. Each van has room for up to 12 prisoners in individual cells.
Another change this year was the use of a boat, usually based in Auckland, from the police Maritime Unit.
It was manned by one officer from Kerikeri and one from Auckland.
The aim was to have a visible presence on the water as well as preventing accidents by checking for lifejackets and compliance with maritime laws.
Drunk revellers decided to hit the water along Paihia foreshore after midnight and people jumped off the nearby wharf.
Police discovered a pile of clothes on the beach but were unable to find the owners on shore or in the water.
Police had no reports of a missing person yesterday.
Licensed premises reported few problems, with many operating a one-way door policy after midnight.
Sarah Greener, of 35 Degrees South and Alongside, said "a really good fun crowd" enjoyed a live soul band.
She commended the large police presence around town which had help to prevent trouble.
