Thousands head to Auckland's Santa parade

Showers are forecast this afternoon but organisers said the parade would still go ahead in light rain. Photo / Natalie Slade

Tens of thousands of people are flowing into the centre of Auckland today for the Farmers Santa Parade.

Extra trains and ferries are being put on for the thousands of people expected to line the 2.2km route for the annual parade, which starts at 2pm. It travels along Mayoral Drive, Queen St, Customs St and Albert St and ends at Aotea Square.

Today's parade is the 81st in its history which stretches back to the 1930s when the company's founder Robert Laidlaw staged his first Grand Parade before World War II.

The event has more than 4000 volunteers helping, and organisers are expecting about a crowd of about 250,000.

Organiser Pam Glaser said festivities would start early, with a Santa Party in Aotea Square from 11am. It would continue after the parade finished about 3.15pm.

She said it was important to plan ahead as road closures would affect many inner-city streets.

Auckland Transport spokesman Mark Hannan said 1800 free spaces would be provided at the council-owned Victoria St and Downtown carparks between noon and 6pm.

Special train services would run from Pukekohe and all other suburban services would have more carriages and run every 20 to 30 minutes from 10.30am.

Extra ferry services were scheduled between Bayswater, Birkenhead, Half Moon Bay and Stanley Bay.

Showers are forecast this afternoon but organisers said the parade would still go ahead in light rain.

Listen to NewstalkZB for any postponement announcement.