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While the celebrations for many people abroad were, or will be, online only, crowds of New Zealanders stood shoulder to shoulder at festivals, bars and streets.
Most of the Kiwis were good last night, but the police were called to the Whangamata Surf Club, where thousands of teenagers had gathered, many of whom were on the roof throwing bottles.
Auckland woman Jane Phare is on vacation in Coromandel town with seven teenagers, including her 15-year-old son.
He had ventured to see how the teenagers were doing. He said there must have been thousands of teenagers gathered in the streets. Some had climbed to the roof of the club, about 200 meters from the house of the friend where she was staying.
“There was just this roar of drunk kids out of control and no music.
“There was a huge crowd of drunk teenagers who had climbed onto the roof of the surf club. They were throwing bottles at the police, there were bottles flying everywhere, crashing to the ground.
“The road was littered with broken glass and the police were trying to keep young people away from the collapsing bottles. The police were telling us to stay behind.
“The riot police with shields and batons arrived at the club and everyone dispersed. They have arrested quite a few teenagers. There is a police car and a knock is heard inside.”
Fire and Emergency New Zealand also assisted incidents of people lighting bonfires on beaches and setting off fireworks.
In Auckland, thousands of people gathered on Victoria St West to watch laser shows and listen to music before the Sky City fireworks show at midnight.
Hundreds of people celebrated at Viaduct Harbor, where people sunbathed before the last sunset of 2020.
At Silo Park, Che Fu DJed for the relaxed partygoers who were sprawled out on the grass by the water.
He told the crowd that it was a year of extremes.
“All my blessing to you and yours,” he said. “2021 is going to be good, I promise.”
Alina Manu and her mother Nane Manu came to the Wynyard Viaduct for lunch, listened to the music and were drawn to it.
“2020 has been challenging to say the least,” Alina said.
She hoped travel would be possible in 2021. But even if that were impossible, she was grateful for how the country handled the pandemic.
North Shore residents Elizabeth Salinas and her children Sergio Minota, 16, and Karen Minota, 21, were among those who were enjoying the music.
Sergio said he was hopeful for a more peaceful 2021. His sister and mother agreed, and Salinas added “and no more confinements.”
Later in the evening, the sky was lit up with a light show at the Auckland Harbor Bridge, the Auckland War Memorial Museum and the city’s pink bike path, Te Ara I Whiti.
It was followed by a dazzling fireworks display from the Sky Tower.
The SkyCity entertainment center had carried half a ton of fireworks and 14 km of computer control wiring had been installed on three of the Sky Tower levels.
“It is a time to celebrate and appreciate what matters most, and to look forward with a sense of hope and new beginnings,” said SkyCity CEO Michael Ahearne.
He said New Zealand was handling Covid-19 well, and that was cause for celebration.
SkyCity said it partnered with laser show experts PyroStar International and Soulstorm Lasers to use Australasia’s brightest lasers for a three-hour animation show.
PyroStar International’s Rob McDermott said the fireworks would have global significance.
New Zealand cities are the first in the world to celebrate any new year.
“But this year they will have even more meaning due to the fact that they are actually moving forward,” McDermott said.
Tragedy struck Beach Haven shortly before 7 p.m. when a woman in her 70s died in a swimming accident. Police said she was pulled from the water by members of the public, but attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.
At the Rhythm and Vines festival at Gisborne’s Waiohika Estate, which was also broadcast live this year, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Benee were among several local acts that entertained the crowds throughout the three days of the festival.
But the joy dimmed when news emerged that a teenager who was attending the festival missing for three days was found dead.
Wellington’s Fletcher Wong was last seen leaving the admissions area at 2 a.m. Tuesday.
There were frantic search efforts, with Fire and Emergency providing a drone to try and help find the teenager.
But shortly before 6 p.m. yesterday, police announced that LandSAR volunteers had found the body of the 19-year-old in the Ormond area of Gisborne.
In Otago, revelers gathered at the three-day Rhythm and Alps music festival.
So volatile was the Covid-19 situation, organizers had said they didn’t know until December 29 if the Cardrona Valley event would take place.
But the sold-out music festival was one of several spread across the country where crowds gathered to sing to the musicians on stage.
In Rotorua, the New Year’s Eve night market was packed with people as people gathered to enjoy live music and family fun, which included spinning balloons and painting faces.
“There is always a great atmosphere here,” said Leanne Stewart of Rotorua.
He said he was optimistic about 2021.
Nearby, Jo Purdey from Wellington was visiting the market with her family.
When asked about his hopes for 2021, he said he wished the rest of the world could live as freely as New Zealanders.
Meanwhile, the Waiariki MP and Maori party co-leader Rawiri Waititi hit the road on New Year’s Eve for an unusual reunion.
He was on his way to the Waikeria prison to meet 16 protesting inmates.
“They deserve the right to be treated humanely, with fresh water, clean food and clothing, and they deserve to have someone stand up for them,” Waititi said.
“I have been contacted directly by several inmates who have made it very clear that they are unwilling to meet with anyone other than me to discuss their concerns.”
A third of the Waikato prison’s bed capacity was destroyed after riots broke out on Tuesday and lasted until the New Year.
