New Year off to a glowing start (+video)

Hopes for the New Year are glowing throughout Rotorua as locals and visitors welcome in 2017.

More than 1000 people showed up in the early evening to welcome in the New Year at the GLO Party as it got underway at the Rotorua Lakefront - the third and final event in the three-day GLO Festival.

Teegan Bennett went along with her partner, Leslie Lewis, and their daughter, Amelia Lewis, 1, to bring in the New Year.

Shanelle and Isobel McCashin, 7, get into the festivities. Photo/Ben Fraser

"Our family is all here for the New Year. It's a nice atmosphere and there's a good turn out. We will be here for the fireworks, it's great just being here with family," she said.

Alex Mihaka-Rossiter was there with his family.

"We only just recently moved here and people were telling me there was heaps of family stuff, there's heaps for the kids. It's cool," he said.

Ramari Sherma went down to celebrate with her family too.

"It's all about the kids tonight, it's a good place for them. I'm loving it," she said.

Nick Le-Mon went down to see his sister, Promise Royal, perform on stage.

"She's been doing this for ages so we were pretty stoked she was up there. We came over from Tauranga to support her. It's a cool vibe and atmosphere," he said.

GLO Festival organiser Tia Smith said the response to the three-day festival had been really positive.

"We have had a lot of people arrive here early setting up their seats for the night. There's a great crowd and great weather. Great way to finish the festival and the year on a high," she said.

Senior Sergeant Malcolm Collins of the Bay of Plenty Police District Command Centre said so far the police had had no problems and everything was "all good".

Dance group Tai & Maia. Photo/Ben Fraser

GLO Party acts included:
- 5.50pm Ngati Kea Ngati Tuara kapa haka
- 6.05pm Promise Royal
- 6.25pm Quad Sticks
- 6.35pm Stella Maris
- 7.15pm Tai & Maia
- 7.25pm Oneill Twins
- 8pm Katerama Pou
- 8.15pm Vince Harder
- 9.15pm Fireworks
- 9.30pm DJEight80
- 10pm Without Delay
- 10.50pm Stylus
- 12am Fireworks