Ed Sheeran concerts kick off at Auckland's Mt Smart stadium

Wet weather couldn't dampen the spirits of the 47,000 fans who showed up to Ed Sheeran's opening show in Auckland on last night.

Big cheers erupted as the star took to the stage at Mt Smart Stadium for the first of three Auckland shows.

The British pop-star from Framlingham, Suffolk played a two-hour set with little of the theatrics that can typically fill the concert backdrop, as fans huddled in multi-coloured ponchos.

Earlier fans battled to reach the stadium in the southern Auckland suburb of Penrose, as
at times atrocious weather and two crashes snarled up the Northern and Southern Motorways.

But that was soon forgotten as the 27-year-old singing sensation opened with Castle on the Hill and continued with the set list seen by most fans on his recent tour.

While the rain didn't completely let up, it's unlikely the star would have been fazed.

Speaking yesterday, Sheeran said some of his best gigs have been in the rain.

"I did one in Sydney and it was torrential rain and it was one of my favourite gigs."

Ed Sheeran, during his welcome to Mt Smart Stadium today. Photo / Greg Bowker

Sheeran was welcomed to the stadium earlier in the day by a rousing powhiri, at his request, and his first.

Twenty-five people representing different iwi greeted the star ahead of the first of his six-show tour.

At the powhiri Sheeran presented a signed album to the group with a smile.

"Here's this, I don't know if you want it or not," he said.

Congratulated on his recent engagement to Cherry Seaborn, he said marriage wouldn't stop him touring, but eventual-school age kids would cut the number.

Ed Sheeran performing in Melbourne this month. File photo / Sam Tabone / WireImage

His last record, Divide, was the biggest selling album of 2017.

All three Auckland shows are sold out, with over 140,000 people expected to flock to hear the troubadour strum and sing.

The tour, which finishes with three shows in Dunedin, has been touted as the biggest show we've ever had.