New Years' revellers are preparing for a number of events taking place around the country tonight.
Music and celebrations in Hagley Park in Christchurch as part of New Year's Eve 2014. Photo: RNZ / Patrick Phelps
In Auckland, fireworks will light up the city above the Sky Tower at midnight. There will also be large events including Britomart Beach Party at Britomart and Highlife, which is held at Stonyridge Vineyard on Waiheke Island.
In Northland, thousands of party-goers are attending the Northern Bass festival in Mangawhai.
Metservice said patches of rain were expected to fall over the next few hours, particularly around midnight, but would clear up by the morning.
Chase and Status play Rhythm & Vines 2014 on 30 December near Gisborne. Photo: Rhythm & Vines / Alexander Hallag
Revellers prepare to welcome New Year's Eve on 30 December at Rhythm & Vines 2014. Photo: Rhythm & Vines / Jared Donkin
In the South Island, celebrations are taking place around Christchurch in the lead-up to midnight.
Hundreds have gathered in Hagley Park, where there are bouncy castles and movies for children, and bands playing from 9pm. A countdown will take place ten seconds from midnight.
In the city centre, Shihad and other bands are playing the first concert in Cathedral Square since the 2011 earthquake.
Police said liquor bans were in place around the city including in the city centre, Victoria Street, and Papanui Road. They said plenty of staff were on duty and they were predicting a relatively trouble-free evening.
In Queenstown, the focus of the celebrations will be on the waterfront. Around 20,000 people are expected to gather there to watch live music and a 10-minute fireworks display at midnight.
A total liquor ban is in place and 100 extra police have been brought in.
In Wanaka, the festivities will also centre on the lakefront, with fireworks at midnight. About 5000 people have also gathered in the Cardrona valley for the Rhythm and Alps Music Festival.
The weather is cooler with intermittent showers, however the main front has passed through the area and so the weather is not expected to dampen the festivities.
