Disappointment after 'fireworks' at Viaduct Harbour turn out to be a fizzer

Thousands of people who lined the Viaduct Harbour to celebrate Team New Zealand winning the America's Cup were bemused after the fireworks display they were expecting turned out to be more of a flame show with giant sparklers.

An Auckland Council events page promised a "public fireworks display", while Viaduct Harbour Holdings' chief executive Angela Bull said there would be a "fireworks and lighting display".

The show kicked off just after 6pm, with "oohs" and "aahhhs" as huge jets of flame flared up in front of a packed Headquarters restaurant on the Viaduct.

But those who expected skyrockets were disappointed. The show was mostly flames - the sort seen at Eden Park during a rugby match - and ended in an explosion of ticker tape.

Hundreds of people, including children, had lined up at Stanley Pt on the North Shore in the hopes of catching the action. They were left thinking something had gone wrong after no fireworks were visible across the harbour.

Auckland Council promoted the event but it was put on by Viaduct Harbour Holdings as a goodwill gesture.

A Viaduct Harbour spokeswoman said there was a "large crowd of Team NZ supporters in attendance tonight, celebrating winning the America's Cup with a lighting and special effects display designed by Angus Muir".

"Viaduct Harbour is very proud to celebrate the team's success on the day we won the America's Cup."

She said they had had "great feedback" from the crowd that had gathered to celebrate at the Viaduct.

To put on a full-on fireworks display the company would have to get council consent and stage the show on a boat hundreds of metres offshore.