New Year's Eve revellers flock to hot spots

From left, Mackenzie Boddington 19, Patrick Davy, 19, Luke Leesburg, 18, Andrew Gaskell, 19, spend New Year's Eve at Tauranga Silver Birch Holiday Park. Photo / Christine Cornege

Sunny skies, parties and music festivals proved to be a big hit for those celebrating the arrival of 2014.

Thousands of people headed to some of the country's most well-known hot spots for New Year's Eve - heralding the new year in dance and song.

Police in Mt Maunganui and Tauranga were on alert as there were a number of big events happening in the region.

The Mount Vibes Music Festival pulled thousands of revellers to watch The Black Seeds, Sons of Zion, Tomorrow People and Homebrew, while funk group Ardijah and reggae band Three Houses Down attracted crowds to the G2 Resolution NYE Party.

Festival-goer Iosua Mase - who was at both events - said the atmosphere was "totally pumping" and people were enjoying themselves.

"There's heaps of people, it's crazy. It's summer and the weather's nice. Everybody's out ... guys' shirts are off and people are dancing. It's awesome," he said.

Mr Mase said many people were drinking alcohol, but the atmosphere was relaxed and felt safe.

Other popular areas such as the Coromandel and Whangamata had been well behaved last night also, authorities said.

Inspector Steve Kose said they had dozens of extra staff on in those areas, as well as in downtown Auckland.

"It seems like everything's going well at the moment. Yes, we have had a few disorders in some of those places, but no major disorders."

In downtown Auckland, many families with young children were taking advantage of the fine evening and enjoying a meal out.

Revellers were expected to arrive much later in the night and early hours of the morning and police reported no major problems around the city early last night.

Gisborne's annual Rhythm and Vines festival also proved to be a big hit again - despite a few showers that may have dampened a few people's fun.

Around 20,000 people were in town for the three-day gig; which featured a special appearance from internet guru Kim Dotcom.

Dotcom accompanied the festival's midnight fireworks display and showed off some of his DJ-ing skills; playing tunes from his new album, Good Times.