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Children perched on rubbish bins, were hoisted on to dad's shoulders and even squeezed between bushes to catch a glimpse of yesterday's Santa Parade.
Fine weather attracted huge crowds of Aucklanders after the parade day had been dogged by rain for the past couple of years.
"Everyone's saying the crowds were enormous in Queen St and Customs St," said spokeswoman Pam Glaser. "In Mayoral Drive, they were in the bushes, up against the trees."
North Shore girl Jessica Hughes, 6, watched for the first time. She danced and twirled as she waited for the parade to come along Queen St and was so excited she found it hard to pick which float she longed to see.
"Santa ... and everything," she said.
Brass bands, cheerleaders and a samba band were among the entertainment before Santa appeared on his sleigh towed by reindeer.
"Don't forget to write to me and ask for what you want for Christmas," he shouted. "Merry Christmas Auckland. Ho, ho, ho."
