Cheree Kinnear on the widespread chaos across Auckland this morning and frustrated travellers at Auckland Airport. Video / Jed Bradley
Elton John’s private jet has left Auckland International Airport bound for Hawaii after his second concert scheduled for tonight was cancelled.
Last night concertgoers were forced to evacuate from Mt Smart stadium amid flash flooding last night just half an hour before he was due to perform.
Monday’s St Jerome’s Laneway Festival has also been cancelled by organisers following severe flooding that plunged Auckland into a state of emergency this weekend.
“Unfortunately due to the unprecedented weather event in Auckland, we have made the heartbreaking decision to cancel Laneway Festival,” they said in a statement this afternoon.
“We were so excited to deliver this show to our biggest crowd ever in New Zealand, our team has been working around the clock to do everything they can to salvage the site, but the damage and disruption caused by the weather has meant that it is no longer safe to proceed.
Organisers of the festival, which includes acts Fatboy Slim, Peking Duck, LP Giobbi, and Set Mo, has confirmed they are in the process of moving into Spark Arena ahead of the event tomorrow.
“We are in the process of working through the logistics of such a move and will make more information available as soon as possible.
“We are excited about delivering a full scale production, a proper rave at New Zealand’s premier arena and wish to thank all the hard work of event professionals behind the scenes in making this all happen. Thank you to everyone for your patience and support. Will be in touch very shortly.”
John Morales and MissB won’t be performing.
A statement from Frontier Touring in relation to the Elton John concert released this morning reads, “It is with a very heavy heart that both Elton John concerts at Mt Smart Stadium must be cancelled.
“Weather conditions at the stadium drastically worsened across the upper North Island last night leaving promoters, Chugg Entertainment, AEG Presents and Frontier Touring with no possible option but to stop Friday’s show from going ahead.
“Auckland was subsequently declared to be in a state of emergency and we are now forced to cancel tonight’s show at Mt Smart Stadium. Promoters, emergency services and venue staff have deemed the event as unsafe due to surrounding flooding and continued disruptions to roads and patron safety across the city.”
The release urged ticketholders to check their inboxes, including junk and spam folders, for information from Ticketmaster on getting refunds.
Flooding at the Elton John concert on January 27, 2023. The concert was cancelled following heavy rainfall. Photo / Tanya Young
The Rocketman himself has shared a heartbreaking statement, writing, “Two years ago, I was devastated to have to reschedule my final New Zealand shows and was committed to fulfilling my promise of returning to say a final farewell.
“This is a very difficult decision which doesn’t come lightly and I’m so sorry to all my fans who bought tickets. Cancelling shows is always the very last resort but we have to think of my team, the venue staff and fan safety.
“Vendors will be in touch regarding refunds and in the meantime my thoughts are with everyone in Auckland during this extreme weather. Please stay safe. Much love, Elton.”
Rotorua man Jason McMillan told the Herald he was due to come up to Auckland with his partner and their children for the concert tonight but were waiting for updates before starting their journey.
”We are gutted we are going miss seeing a legend, but still feeling for everyone up in Auckland who have had a horrible 24 hours. Mother Nature wins again. It’s still just a concert at the end of the day,” he said.
It comes after fans urged the music legend to postpone his shows as rain continues to batter the city.
“We would love to see you but this weather is insane. Please postpone for the safety of Aucklanders,” one person wrote.
“Someone please tell me they have cancelled the second Elton John concert tonight,” another commented.
“City is a mess, state of emergency, more rain coming, and you want to send 40k people to one place and divert emergency services to cover a concert? Just NO. CANCEL IT.”
It’s the second time the Auckland stop on his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road farewell tour has been cancelled.
Three years ago at Mt Smart, he was forced to stop playing due to being diagnosed with walking pneumonia.
He was heartbroken as he told fans, “I haven’t got much left ... I’ve completely lost my voice. I’ve got to go home. I’m so sorry.”
A few weeks later, Covid-19 hit and New Zealand, along with much of the rest of the world, was plunged into lockdown.
Elton’s New Zealand shows were rescheduled as the world waited for international music acts to return - but it’s a disappointing weekend for fans who have been waiting for their chance to see him perform for the final time.
Festival One and One Love Festival have also been cancelled.
“From site flooding, to high winds, to artists being stuck in Auckland, thunderstorms predicted and heavy rain tomorrow as well, we are unable to safely and logistically deliver One Love 2023,” organisers said in a statement.
Ticketholders will get a full refund.
NZ Cricket has announced that tomorrow’s Hallyburton Johnston Shield match between the Auckland Hearts and the Wellington Blaze, set to take place at Colin Maiden Park, will not be going ahead.
“Points for this match will be shared.”
Flooding at Auckland Domain. Photo / Brett Phibbs
It’s not yet clear whether St Jerome’s Laneway Festival will go ahead on Monday January 30.
A statement from organisers shared this afternoon read, “Safety is Laneway Festival’s number one priority. With the large weather event Auckland is currently experiencing, our teams are working closely with local authorities and will provide updates as soon as possible.”
And Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira is closed today as Auckland Domain is flooded.
A spokesperson for the museum said, “Our facilities team is closely monitoring the building and after an initial evaluation have reported that there is no damage or flooding. The team will continue to closely monitor the building during this weather event.”
Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium is also closed due to flooding, according to their website, aiming to reopen tomorrow at 9.30am.
Auckland Zoo is shut today and tomorrow due to the flooding, amid reports of staff being called in to work early this morning for clean-up, with items like industrial-size fridges being washed away.
