An overnight police operation in central Auckland targeting alcohol-fuelled behaviour and drink driving has uncovered less disorder than usual, the police say.

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

A spokesperson said Auckland police were pleased with the results of the operation, but were disappointed people were still drink driving.

More than 70 officers were involved in the operation, which concentrated on Ponsonby, Mission Bay and the CBD.

Inspector Mark Benefield says while officers still had to make some arrests, disorder linked to alcohol was less than on a typical Saturday night.

He said while he was pleased with the operation, he was disheartened by the drink driving arrests.

"We've had 15 drunk drivers which is a disappointment, we'd like to have zero," he said.

"You know, it would be great to have an operation where we have zero people - not [zero] drinking, so to speak, but driving safely and not having to be prosecuted for drink driving."

He said there were also encouraging results from an operation targeting off-licence alcohol sales, with none of the 25 shops tested selling alcohol to minors.