One fan rushed to the atrium at 5am wanting to be the first in the country to hear her new song.
However, when the Herald went to the site at 8.30am, there were few fans about, with more than 100 people walking past without paying the disco ball any attention.
Hidden underneath a staircase, the ball was visited by just four people while the Herald was there for 40 minutes.
One of them, Morgan, 18, who works in Britomart and is a big huge Katy Perry fan, was excited about hearing her new song.
"I thought it was something really good (when) she hasn't had (anything) out for a while," she said.
"I love her, she's so good. I'll have to listen to the whole song, it sounds good so far."
The Spinoff editor and Herald columnist Duncan Greive also came to listen, and was impressed by what he heard.
"That song she did for Rio was a total dog, and, you know, pop stars have their moments, and I was like 'maybe Katy's is over', but that [song's] good. It's got that tropical feel. It feels like a well constructed vibe."
While he wasn't sure if that disco ball was a great example of it, Greive said he liked musical promo stunts.
"I feel like pop music is one of those rare phenomena that can pull this s**t off. In an era when there is so much noise, little things like this, especially when they are in the real world, can cut through the general bulls**t of life."
The ball will stay at Britomart until at least 6pm. Universal Music, who represent Katy Perry in New Zealand, are expecting big crowds at lunch time.
A publicist said the disco ball had been visited by plenty of students on their way to school, but admitted the timing wasn't ideal for New Zealand.
The stunt, which is taking place in 22 countries, has met a positive reception on social media.
