A man's death in Bay of Plenty and a fracas in Hawke's Bay marred an otherwise fairly calm New Year's Eve around the country

Police have launched a homicide investigation after being called to reports of disorder on Seaforth Road, in Bowentown, near Waihi Beach, just before 1 this morning

There they found a man with critical injuries, who later died at the scene.

A police vehicle was vandalised and two youths are set to appear in the Youth Court after a fracas in Hawke's Bay last night.

Police were called to an address on Harper Road, in Waimarama near Hastings, just after 10.

Officers were confronted by the group on arrival, with objects being thrown - resulting in a window of the police vehicle being smashed.

Police don't know how many people were involved, but it's estimated to be close to 100.

Police expect to make more arrests.

There were two arrests in Queenstown, and 12 in Auckland - most in relation to over consumption of alcohol.