Fireworks at Timaru's New Year celebration. Photo: Robert Smith/RNZ
Bad weather put a dampener on some celebrations, but thousands of people around the country still came together to ring in 2025.
In Auckland, large numbers gathered along the waterfront as the skyline was lit up with a five-minute fireworks display from the Sky Tower.
The city's Harbour Bridge was also lit up.
Aaron and Mary were among the crowds keen to watch the city's New Year spectacle.
"We're in town for four nights, just about to celebrate our New Years, it's our 20th wedding anniversary so we're going to have a good time, we've got a live town, fireworks, people watching," Aaron said.
"We're going to be sitting up there just watching all the excitement unfold," Mary added.
Thousands of other people gathered on Auckland's maunga to get a view of the fireworks display.
Parasol and Swing venue manager Jonny Park said their rooftop bar on Quay Street in Auckland was looking forward to a busy few hours beyond midnight.
"Seems to be a lot less people that have gone away, but yeah it's always a really busy night, so we don't do a heap of bookings later on because we like to kind of leave ourselves open for people to rock up," he said.
Fireworks in Timaru. Photo: Robert Smith/RNZ
Meanwhile, Northland police said New Year's Eve crowds in holiday hotspots were mostly well behaved with only minor disorder and few arrests.
Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston said there was some trouble in Paihia caused by drunkeness, but it was well down on previous years.
A few people were taken into custody to cool off, he added.
There appeared to be fewer spectators at Paihia's midnight fireworks display than last year, Johnston said.
In Wellington, a street carnival was held in Courtenay Place with traffic blocked off. It was organised by a group of hospitality owners seeking to revive the area amid tough economic conditions.
But in Christchurch, wet weather forced the council to cancel its New Year's Eve celebrations.
Rhythm and Vines/Alps
Large celebrations were held at both the Rhythm and Vines Festival in Gisborne, and at Rhythm and Alps in Wānaka, where thousands have gathered over the past few days.
Organisers of Rhythm and Vines Festival were defending a $5 fee for optional pre-driving breath testing.
The three-day festival, which attracted more than 26,000 people, ends Wednesday.
In a Facebook post, festival organisers shared a checklist for people leaving the festival, promoting a breath-testing service aimed at encouraging responsible driving. But some people vented their frustration over the cost.
In response to the comments, organisers said a private vendor was offering the service for people who choose to use it.
Rest of the world
New Zealand is of course among the first countries to see in the New Year.
Much of Asia was the latest time zone to mark the end of 2024.
Local residents look at fireworks as they celebrate the New Year at Ancol Beach in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP
Dancers perform during the New Year's countdown celebrations in Beijing, China. Photo: ADEK BERRY/AFP
Fireworks over the Victoria Harbour to celebrate the New Year in Hong Kong. Photo: MAY JAMES/AFP
Fireworks light up the midnight sky over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Photo: SAEED KHAN/AFP
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