Police: Be sensible tonight, NZ

Fireworks erupt from the SkyTower during a previous New Year's Eve celebration. Photo / Greg Bowker

The weather may have brought many New Year's Eve plans to a halt, but police warn they will still be out in force tonight.

The Tauranga City Council's New Year's Eve events at Mount Maunganui were cancelled yesterday and Rotorua's Lakeside concert would now be held indoors at the Energy Events Centre.

"We're asking people to be sensible about their New Years Eve celebrations. Whilst many events have been cancelled and plans have been changed, we know that people will still want to celebrate the new year in some way," Bay of Plenty district operations manager Inspector Scott Fraser said.

He said the changes in public events had not changed the police operation for New Year's Eve and the peak summer period.

"Bay of Plenty Police will still be very visible tonight in local communities and out in force around the District in an effort to reduce alcohol-related harm and to try and keep people safe.

Liquor bans remained in place around the Bay of Plenty tonight.

Police were also warning drivers to take extra care on the district's sodden roads which made driving conditions even more dangerous than usual.

"Please take extra care today, tonight and in the coming days, especially on the roads," he said.

Fireworks organisers: We'll be active too

Organisers of Sky City's annual New Year fireworks display are determined their show will go ahead, despite the weather.

Over seven hundred kilos of fireworks will be set off from Auckland's Sky Tower at midnight.

The shows will last around 10 minutes.

Sky City said rain would not be an issue, but winds of more than 55 kilometres an hour would be a problem.

There will also be a fireworks display from two barges on the Waitemata Harbour.