On Waiheke Island, partygoers descended on Stonyridge Vineyard for the sold-out Highlife festival. More than 15 DJs set the beat at the dance party, with gourmet food on offer too.
Wellingtonians Michael Cundy and Angela Campbell - both 27 - started their night at the Shakespeare Hotel & Brewery in central Auckland. The pair had come to Auckland with four friends to attend Highlife. "It's our first time," Mr Cundy said.
The festival's 12-hour line-up left plenty of time to have some quiet drinks at the Shakespeare, he said.
Further north, it was a night for dancing at the Northern Bass festival in Mangawhai. New Zealand's Fat Freddy's Drop hit the stage twice yesterday, with several international acts also lapped up by the crowd.
And at what was arguably New Zealand's biggest festival, an estimated 20,000 party-goers revelled at Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines at the Waiohika Estate Vineyard.
Thousands flock to Auckland City to see the SkyCity fireworks. Photo / Dean Purcell
Start me up: from left, Sarah Alhafidh, Binh Minh Ha, Amy Campbell, Sophie Walton-Smith and Kate Young enjoy the party vibe in Auckland. Photo / Jason Oxenham
In keeping with other years, the valley lit up at midnight with a bright fireworks display.
Police had said they were hoping for a smooth end to the three-day festival, the first two days taking place without any significant incidents.
For those less inclined to hardcore partying, several centres nationwide put on family-friendly entertainment.
In Rotorua, the young and old gathered in the early evening for the annual three-day GLO festival. Among the performers were popular Kiwi boy band Titanium, X Factor runner-up Whenua Patuwai, Rotorua singer Alayna Powley and former X Factor contestant Cameron Rota. Titanium put aside time to meet fans and sign albums.
Thousands of people celebrate the New Year at Rhythm and Vines in Gisborne. Photo / Aaron Moffitt
The crowds are pumped at Rhythm and Vines. Photo / Joe Kettlety/Juice Media
"Mega fan" Tamara Cookson, 12, said she looked forward to seeing Titanium the most. "I will definitely be in line to meet them."
She and her friends Summer and Haydee Brogden, both 14, and Caitlyn Gibson, 15, said they had gone to the GLO's New Year's Eve Party in the Park every year.
"It's a family thing ... It's definitely the best place to be in Rotorua," Summer said.
Wellington had a special kids' countdown at 9pm at the Frank Kitts Lagoon, while Orchestra Wellington played music to go with a selection of movie images on the big screen.
At Mt Maunganui, much of the holiday hotspot was closed to traffic. Beachside Marine Parade was transformed into a family-friendly event zone, with revellers filling the street and sand around two stages.
Light fantastic: The New Year's party at Hawkes Bay Showgrounds in Hasting. Photo / Warren Buckland
Early starters at the Britomart Beach Party in Auckland: from left, Ellen Milburn, Laura Allan, Naomi Devitt and Olivia Bromley. Photo / Jason Oxenham
Joe's Van, New Reptiles, Daughters of Ally and Spank the Funky played, before a spectacular fireworks display filled the sky at midnight.
The night kicked off quietly, with cloudy skies and windy weather perhaps working against a big turnout.
James Patterson and his family from Pakuranga, among the first to pitch chairs at The Hits Street Stage, had chosen to spend their first New Year's Eve at the Mount over their usual campervan destination, Coromandel. "We've been really impressed with it and are going to stay as late as we can."
But Brent Burgess, who has lived in the Mount for half a century and had missed few of the New Year celebrations, said he knew to expect a good time. "The kids love it."
Nearby, Tauranga mum Angela Neville said the start of the night had been more relaxed than expected. "[It's] been great for the kids."
As the party began to crank up, police were pleased with the crowds, reporting only a few arrests for disorderly behaviour.
Extra police had been stationed at party hot spots around the country -- including the Mount and Gisborne -- in anticipation of a busy New Year's night. St John Ambulance also had more staff available.
St John director of clinical operations Norma Lane said that between 10pm and 2am on New Year's Eve the service's workload was tripled. Much of that would be related to alcohol.
Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae is to use his 2015 New Year's message to welcome new Kiwis. "Like those who followed them, the first New Zealanders came here to forge a better life for themselves," he will say tomorrow.
"Today, when a quarter of New Zealand's population was born elsewhere, we have the opportunity to ensure that our newest New Zealanders are welcomed, are valued, and are enabled to take their place amongst us," Sir Jerry said.
Five tips for dealing with hangovers
Drink lots of water Alcohol is a diuretic, and causes dehydration. While drinking and before sleeping, drink lots of water. Ideally you should aim to drink a glass of water with every drink you consume. Doing this helps avoid dehydration, replacing lost fluids, allowing you to feel considerably less miserable the next day.
Limit coffee Caffeine may be a great way to wake up, but does it fix hangovers? Even though caffeine is often used to cure headaches, it can also cause them. Caffeine narrows blood vessels and boosts blood pressure which may make hangovers worse. If you are a caffeine addict try a small amount of coffee and wait half an hour. Also remember to drink water as well -- caffeine is a diuretic.
Sports drinks so-so Because of alcohol's diuretic effect the theory is this might cause your body to lose electrolytes, but their rate of loss is not so severe that you'll need to replace them with sports drinks. Research shows most sports drinks are typically no more effective than water when it comes to dealing with hangovers.
Hair of the dog? Even though more booze is the last thing many of us want when awakening to a head thumper, some swear by it as a means of combating hangovers. Scientists, however, say all people are doing is prolonging the inevitable, even potentially making hangovers worse.
Carbs If you've spent post-drinking time making a lengthy call on the great white porcelain telephone, this might help. The carbs in toast or crackers can help stabilise blood-sugar levels. Eating carb-rich foods (such as avocado on toast) can go a long way to offsetting after-effects.
- Additional reporting: Rotorua Daily Post, NZME.
