Heavy rain couldn't stop tens of thousands of Aucklanders from celebrating as their city became the first to ring in 2024, with a dazzling Sky Tower fireworks display.
The five-minute-long spectacle, which is the highest in the Southern Hemisphere, started with a 10-second countdown projected onto the base of the Sky Tower.
Around 500kgs of pyrotechnics were launched from three purpose-built firing sites mounted onto levels 55, 61 and 64 - around 200-240m above ground.
Closer to the ground, bars around Auckland's waterfront were packed as spectators gathered despite the all-too-familiar rainy forecast.
"Everyday weather here," one joked.
New Zealanders celebrated the new year despite gloomy weather forecasts. (Source: 1News)
Some revellers told 1News their moods were dampened by the forecast "a little bit", but others couldn't let the weather get in the way of having a good time.
It comes after a chaotic year for people in the country's largest region - including both Cyclone Gabrielle and the city's unprecedented Anniversary Weekend floods.
As the clock closer to midnight on New Year's Eve, hundreds of pedestrians swarmed cars around the base of the Sky Tower on Victoria Street to watch the fireworks.
Planning of the fireworks display started six months ago, with pre-production and programming of the firing field computers and address signal boxes.
Thousands rang in the new year in our largest city. (Source: 1News)
The installation of the equipment required for the event took over 250 hours and included 14km of electrical cabling and wiring and 1500 lines of programming code.
PyroStar International owner Robert McDermott helped set up the display. He told 1News that the unique thing about the Sky Tower celebration is people can "stand underneath" the display near the tower because the special products used "burn out in flight"
Although McDermott has been helping organise the Sky Tower display for the last eight years, he admits he still gets nervous before the display kicks off.
"This is the only display in New Zealand which is shown internationally, so the world is watching. Auckland leads the way with the major cities in the world. There are a few smaller countries which come before it, but Auckland really is the focus."
Kiwis are preparing to welcome in 2024, despite the bad weather forecast for much of the country. (Source: 1News)
SkyCity chief operating officer, Callum Mallett said watching the fireworks cascade from the Sky Tower has become a tradition for many families: “It’s a time when people come together to celebrate the upcoming year and enjoy time with friends and family.
The fireworks were accompanied by a laser light and animation show inspired by the "Auckland is Calling" tomokanga, reflecting the 19 iwi of Tāmaki Makaurau and the weaving together of people, land and sea.
The light show in Auckland was synchronised with other iconic landmarks: the Harbour Bridge, Auckland Museum (Tāmaki Paenga Hira), and the Light Path (Te Ara I Whiti).
SHARE ME