Auckland's biggest Christmas parade will take place today.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Thousands of people are expected to attend Farmer's annual santa parade, which is in its 86th year.
Many roads in the central city, including Queen and Victoria Streets, will be closed for most of the day because of the event, which starts at 1pm.
Auckland transport has advised people heading to the parade by train not to take balloons on board or to stations because of the overhead lines.
Please check carefully how buses will be diverted and which bus stops will be closed for the Farmers Santa Parade today.
— Auckland Transport (@AklTransport) November 23, 2019
More info: https://t.co/4yCUlyIkpd pic.twitter.com/mxj1gUEpJA
This year's parade will also be last for the city's five-storey-high santa that stands on the corner of the Farmers building.
It was announced earlier this year that after 60 years, the giant santa would head into retirement.
Its owner, business association Heart of the City, said restoration work was needed and there were also challenges around the large structure's storage.
Earlier this year Auckland council's tourism and events company, ATEED, decided last year that the parade did not meet its funding criteria of bringing overnight visitors to the city.
Elected councillors voted to overturn the decision.
About 95 percent of the parade is funded by commercial sponsorship.
Last year's parade was postponded due to bad weather for the first time in 20 years.
The weather is expected to be fine in Auckland today.
