By JASON COLLIE
Fireworks maestro Martin Van Tiel rates his millennium display in Auckland a success despite the weather putting a dampener on the $500,000 explosive production.
Foul weather in the hours building up to the New Year's Eve midnight spectacle had his pyrotechnics crew fretting that nine months' preparation would go down the drain.
The bad weather eased but still dimmed the display for the thousands watching the explosions on the Sky Tower, the Waitemata Harbour and the harbour bridge.
"We can't do anything about the weather but it is heartbreaking," said Mr Van Tiel.
The low cloud ruined what Mr Van Tiel and his team thought would be a prime vantage point from the top of the ASB Building in the central city.
"They were heartbroken we could not sit back and watch all our work, but everything worked according to plan so we were very happy with that."
Despite the bad weather, Mr Van Tiel still thought the show had been successful and there had been good feedback.
Some minor explosive shells failed to ignite from barges in the harbour because of the sea lapping over the vessels.
Fireworks chief looks on the bright side
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