New Year’s party! New Zealand says goodbye to 2020, welcomes 2021

Kiwis across the country are celebrating to say goodbye to 2020 and welcome in the new year.

Thousands of people are on Victoria St West in central Auckland watching the laser shows, listening to music and waiting for the fireworks display at midnight.

The crowd around the Sky Tower screamed with excitement at 11:45 pm when a man on the public address system announced, “We only have 15 minutes.”

The Sky Tower has been adorned with colorful animated laser displays of geometric shapes and animals, including a green gecko that appeared to be climbing the 328m tall tower.

Music blasting around SkyCity on the entertainment center speakers included Sir Dave Dobbyn’s Th’Dudes band Th’Dudes drinking anthem Kiwi Bliss and a remix of an ABBA hit where the lead singer declares “Gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight “.

Fireworks are already being launched in some areas, including the Tauranga waterfront, and in Auckland a light display on the Harbor Bridge illuminates the city skyline.

The MC on the Viaduct has been stirring up the crowd, even going so far as to suggest that there was still time to find a cheeky “New Year’s pash.”

He added that it was amazing that we were able to celebrate the way we are in New Zealand.

“He feels lucky, but it also seems like we’ve earned it. We’ve made the mahi.”

While firefighters have been asked to tend several beach bonfires, partygoers have been relatively well behaved so far and no major incidents have been reported by police.

Relaxed revelers have been enjoying a variety of music and activities on offer with hundreds gathering at Silo Park.

Rasela Aukuso, 18, was with her mother Taufau Aukuso and said she considered New Zealand “so lucky” that we could enjoy more freedoms than others.

She hoped the borders would open again in the new year so she could visit her family in Samoa and Australia.

“We are very blessed to be in New Zealand,” added his mother.

DJ Che Fu previously told the crowd that it has been a year of extremities.

“All my blessing to you and yours,” he said. “2021 is going to be good, I promise.
See you later in 2020. “

Alina Manu and her mother, Nane Manu, were among the crowd on Wynyard Viaduct. Today they headed out for lunch, listened to the music, and were drawn to the celebrations.

“We’ve been here since 3 in the afternoon just vibrating,” Alina said. “2020 has been a challenge to say the least.”

But things can only go up from here, he said. She is hopeful that she can travel again next year, but doesn’t worry too much if she can’t, saying she was grateful for how the country handled the pandemic and that events like this could happen for the community.

North Shore residents Elizabeth Salinas and her children, Sergio Minota, 16, and Karen Minota, 21, were also enjoying the music.

Sergio said he hoped for a “more peaceful year” in 2021. His sister and mother agreed with Salinas, adding, “and no more confinements.”

Auckland Unlimited Head of Major Events Hamish Clarke said the team’s comments were that more people were in attendance than at the same time in previous years.

There was a very relaxed feeling in the air as people “wanted to go out and say goodbye to this challenging year.”

“All the entertainment is family friendly,” Clarke said. “This is amazing. This is just what we envision. Giving people a reason to join.”

Further south, the mood was equally upbeat, as hundreds of families were at Blake Park on Mount Maunganui for the free community New Year’s Eve celebration.

More than 500 people were spread out in the park enjoying free entertainment, including great music from local bands.

The dance started early with many children dancing on the grass in front of the stage.

Auckland’s Middleton family were among those who enjoyed the carnival atmosphere.

Richard Middleton, a native of Papamoa, and his wife, Kylie, a native of Te Puke, were home to see the New Year with their three children and other family members.

“It’s an amazing family event and it’s also great to see all the support from local businesses,” Richard said.

Kylie agreed. “We couldn’t think of a better place to take the kids to celebrate New Year’s Eve … This is our home and our kids love it.”

Circus performer Hayley Rose Harbottle of Flames of Plenty said the reaction from the crowd was staggering, especially young children. “I feel like the piper,” he said with a big smile.

3-year-old Isaac Hetherington was among many children trying to grab giant soap bubbles.

“It’s really cool, especially since our kids are old enough to join in all the fun,” said their father, Matt Hetherington, a man from Mt Maunganui. “It’s a great place to celebrate the New Year.”

Terry Jones and his two sons Zoe, 10 and 12-year-old Liam, were among the relaxed crowd on the Tauranga boardwalk.

“It’s a really nice place to come see in the New Years, and close to the bars and restaurants. We really enjoyed coming because it’s an amazing event for the whole family and a great place to see the fireworks.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spent part of the day visiting All Things Organic in Tairua, on the Coromandel Peninsula, for ice cream.

In Rotorua, the New Year’s Eve night market was packed with people as people descended on Tutanekai St for the event, which arrives very late and with a variety of entertainment.

Balloon twisting and face painting was a huge hit with families, with a large crowd gathering to get in on the action.

The live music acts wowed people, many of whom used chairs, beanbags and the seating area to take a break, eat and listen to local talent.

Leanne Stewart, from Rotorua, said they had decided to participate as it was the community event to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

“There’s always a great vibe down here anyway.

“It’s an existing event and already has sponsorship, so have more for New Years Eve
It seems appropriate and will have a lot of local tourism. “

He said he was optimistic about 2021 and was looking forward to a new year.

Jo Purdey from Wellington is visiting Rotorua with her family, and her son, Fin Clough, 4, was very excited to get his balloon shaped.

“Anything familiar like this is great on New Years Eve. It’s wonderful, charming.”

When asked what his hopes were for 2021, he said he just hoped the rest of the world could live like New Zealand.

A lively crowd of about 400 gathered at the Dunedin Octagon and nearby bars on Stuart St preparing to bid farewell to 2020.

While some took shelter under a variety of colorful umbrellas, others hugged the rain, and many also took advantage of Patti’s and Cream’s ice cream truck, the Otago Daily Times reported.

Dunedin rock band Saurian got the crowd moving, before the final act of the night, Loose & Colorful, took the stage around 10pm.

And hundreds of people have also gathered at Lion Park in Te Anau to dance to live music at the New Year Party and Fireworks in the Park event in Fiordland.