Party loudly like it's 2006

Aucklanders can make as much party noise as they like when they bring in the New Year next weekend.

The Auckland City Council announced yesterday that its noise control officers would not investigate any complaints for seven hours from 6pm, New Year's Eve.

The move means the council will tolerate any kind of noise level before 1am, said Chris Dee, the council's environmental health and licensing manager.

"But from 1am it will be business as usual, with noise control officers visiting properties to investigate complaints."

He said the move recognised that New Year's Eve was traditionally a time of revelry.

"I would expect most reasonable people to respect the fact they're not the only people in the world.

"But I'd also expect people to realise New Year's Eve is a time when people do enjoy celebrating.

"With the seven-hour amnesty, we are trying to balance the needs of the community in the most appropriate way."