Phil Collins to play Mission Concert, Napier, and Christchurch - where's Auckland?

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Phil Collins performs at Barclaycard British Summertime at Hyde Park on June 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Brian Rasic/WireImage)

Phil Collins has announced two New Zealand shows for early next year but Auckland fans have been left hoping he adds One More Night.

Sadly, Aucklanders will not be hearing any of his era-defining hits In the Air Tonight, or any other night, as Collins' Not Dead Yet: Live! tour is skipping the city entirely.

While he may have sung Take a Look at Me Now fans in the City of Sails will need to travel to Christchurch or Napier if they want to see the legendary musician perform.

Collins was one of the most successful artists of the 80s, both as a solo artist and as the drummer-turned-frontman for the rock band Genesis.

His first New Zealand number one was the dramatic and haunting In the Air Tonight, which took the top spot in 1981, stayed in the charts for a remarkable 30 weeks and features one of the most thundering and recognisable drum fills ever recorded.

It was the first of a steady stream of solo hits which include 80s radio mainstays Sussudio, I Wish It Would Rain Down, A Groovy Kind of Love, Easy Lover and You Can't Hurry Love.

After moving off his drum stool to front Genesis after their original vocalist Peter Gabriel departed, Collins steered the group away from their prog roots and towards the charts with hits like Invisible Touch, Tonight, Tonight, Tonight and Land of Confusion

Collins' first show is at Christchurch Stadium on Monday February 4. He then heads to Napier's Mission Estate Winery for a show on Waitangi Day, Wednesday 6 February.

Tickets for both shows go on sale Wednesday 5, September at 10am.