Image copyright David Saunders Image caption The New Year revellers enjoyed a drink on the sand island they built in an apparent attempt to circumvent a public drinking ban.
A group of New Zealanders has constructed a sand island in coastal waters, seemingly in a creative attempt to avoid a ban on drinking in public places.
The group built the structure at low tide in the Tairua estuary on the Coromandel peninsula on Sunday afternoon, reports said.
Locals joked that they were in "international waters" and thus exempt from an official liquor ban.
A ban on public drinking is in force in Coromandel over the New Year period and those violating the ban face a fine of $250 (£130; US$180) or arrest.
Image copyright David Saunders Image caption The island was still intact on New Year's Day.
But a well-known community organiser Noddy Watts said the ban was not working and was simply resulting in swathes of arrests. »