Wet wet wet and more a safe bet

Empty beaches and boats confined to their trailers were the hallmarks of rain-saturated holiday resorts yesterday, but a few hardy souls remained determined not to let the weather spoil their fun.

As trampers were being rescued from rising floodwaters in the South Island, holidaymakers further north opted for cinemas and shopping while hoping for the heavy rain to ease in time for New Year celebrations tonight.

Hamilton teenagers Jasmine Dent, Hannah Chappell and Aimee Preest left their sodden tent at a Whangamata campground to tour the town under the shelter of a blue tarpaulin that they bought for $2 as a group raincoat.

Jasmine, 16, and her two 17-year-old friends arrived on Tuesday to find blue skies and plenty of sun - perfect camping weather.

But heavy grey clouds had arrived by Wednesday and the rain set in yesterday, dumping more than 100mm over the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.

The rain continued with a vengeance over eastern areas last night.

Forecasters hope holidaymakers will gain some respite in time for tonight's festivities, but cannot rule out frequent showers until Monday, when they predict fine weather for much of the North Island.

Two women trampers near Milford Sound were rescued by helicopter yesterday afternoon after becoming trapped by floodwaters and triggering a distress beacon.

They were the second group of trampers to be airlifted from the Southern Alps area in the past two days. Up to 500mm of rain have fallen in some parts.

In Auckland and other northern areas, gales of up to 85km/h kept most boaties on dry land.

The Coastguard helped a kitesurfer ashore from the Rangitoto Channel after the wind died suddenly in the afternoon.

A Coastguard vessel also had to tow a 7m yacht to safety after it broke from its mooring and crashed into the Hobson Bay breakwater in the morning.

At Mt Maunganui, an adventurous handful ventured on to a beach where people normally jostle for space at this time of year, and choppy waves proved too much for most of the 20 or so surfers.

Cinema showings of Lemony Snickett and Oceans 12 sold out as a holiday population of almost 30,000 sought other entertainment.

Local teenagers Emma Rose Luxton and Gilian Graham lost out to visitors in the dash for cinema seats, but held out big hopes for the words "a few fine breaks" in the weather forecast for New Year's Eve.

New Year's Eve

Four things you can do tonight (weather permitting):

Dance music: Options in Auckland include Bring it On at the Civic from 9pm (R18, $67) and Lean Bak 2K5 RnB at the St James from 9pm (R18, no alcohol, $35).

Bands: Waihi Beach Hotel has elder statesman Dave Dobbyn, supported by a Muttonbird and a Midnight Oil, and new star Brooke Fraser (doors open 7pm, $45). Paihia's Twin Pines hosts Summer St Festival with bands the feelers, Pan Am and others (from 1pm, $60).

First Night: An alcohol-free, 6pm to 1am family-friendly arts feast is partly outdoor (Aotea Square) and partly indoor (Aotea Centre). Bands include Deceptikonz, Goodshirt and Adeaze.

Auckland Zoo: Jungle Rock Party, 6pm to 10.30pm (normal zoo admission prices).

(NB: Cirque du Soleil's Quidam is already sold out.)