People enjoying the fireworks from the Tauranga waterfront. Photo / George Novak.
People enjoying the fireworks from the Tauranga waterfront. Photo / George Novak.
Thousands of people flocked to the five free New Year's Eve community celebrations across Tauranga city and many of the bars and restaurants were jam-packed.
Some of the bars in downtown Tauranga and Mount Maunganui also had long queues of revellers lined up down the streets waiting to getin.
Some bars in downtown Mount Maunganui were jampacked, with long queues outside. Photo / George Novak
Despite the long wait times, most people appeared in good spirits and police said it had generally been a trouble-free night across the city.
The five free events organised by the Tauranga City Council included a band, roving performers, sports activities and a local MC host, and some also had food trucks.
Revellers poured into Blake Park in Mount Maunganui, Fergusson Park in Matua, Gordon Spratt Reserve in Papamoa, Tauranga racecourse and Tauranga waterfront.
It was a bit of a slow start at the Tauranga waterfront celebrations but the crowd had grown by 7.30pm and swelled again to watch the fireworks light up the skies at 9.30pm.
Circus in a Flash performers entertaining New Year's Eve revellers at Tauranga waterfront. Photo / George Novak
With music from Tara Watson and Johnny Baird aka the Native Poms and roving performers from Circus in a Flash adding to the great vibe, there was plenty to delight both young and old.
Tauranga waterfront free celebrations felt more "low-key" and chilled out than last year, Avenues resident Stacey Gardner said, but added she much preferred it that way.
Her partner Terry Jones and his children Liam, 12, and Zoe, 10, all agreed.
Tauranga father Terry Jones taking a photo of his children Liam, 12, and Zoe, 10, with Jono from Circus in a Flash. Photo / George Novak
"It's a really nice place to see in the New Year. We enjoy coming here because it's an awesome family-focused event and it's a great spot to watch the fireworks."
Also attending the Tauranga waterfront celebrations were Bethlehem grandmother Moana Apaapa, her children and grandchildren, including 7-month-old first cousins Hohepa and Ngatokorua.
Apaapa said the family-friendly alcohol-free event was the major drawcard for her family.
"The atmosphere and entertainment are always great and it is so nice not having any riff-raff, and the police and security staff are doing a great job making it a safe environment."
Two local teenagers said they popped down to the waterfront at 8.30pm to see the fireworks and were "very impressed" how long they went on for.
Downtown Tauranga including along The Strand was busy after the midnight fireworks. Photo / George Novak
Downtown Tauranga, including the Strand, got busier after the midnight fireworks.
Revellers snapping photographs with police officers down at The Strand. Photo / George Novak
And it was all smiles as police officers found themselves mobbed at one stage with revellers keen to grab a selfie or have their photograph taken with them.
Across town, Wellingtonians Tommy Berridge, 26, Chantelle Watts, 28, and 23-year-old Nicole Alexander started their New Year's celebrations at their Airbnb rental in Pāpāmoa.
Wellingtonians Tommy Berridge, 26, Chantelle Watts, 28, and Nicole Alexander, 23, spent New Year's in Tauranga. Photo / George Novak
The friends, who all work in the performing arts industry, arrived in Tauranga on December 30 and were lined up in the queue outside Mount Brew Bar in Maunganui Rd.
Watts said it was frustrating to have to wait so long but they didn't plan to hang around too long as they didn't want to miss out on the fireworks going off at midnight.
"We are celebrating New Year's in Tauranga this year because the weather is much better than in Wellington at the moment ... We've been having a great time in your beautiful city."
With a family-friendly carnival atmosphere at Blake Park, more than 1000 revellers were in high spirits, particularly children, thanks to the Flames of Plenty circus performers.
Renette Kruger with her son JD, 3, at the Blake Park New Year's Eve Community Celebration. Photo / George Novak
The littlies at Blake Park were spoiled for choice with three large bouncy castles, face painting, sports activities, and plenty of giant soap bubbles to try to catch.
