Every year, Sky City stages a massive free fireworks display in central Auckland. Photo: Screenshot
Public events and fireworks displays
Northland
The Bay of Islands will welcome the New Year with a fireworks display launched at the stroke of midnight from a barge moored in the channel between Paihia and Russell.
Optimum viewing areas include Paihia wharf and Maiki Hill lookout, and almost anywhere along the town's waterfront.The fireworks can also be seen from Waitangi, Ōpua and Russell.
The show has been organised every year since 2002, apart from a break during the Covid pandemic, by Business Bay of Islands.
Auckland
It's all happening in central Auckland on New Year's Eve. Head downtown - or up a maunga like Maungawhau/ Mt Eden - to see the spectacular annual fireworks display off the Sky Tower as the clock strikes midnight.
If you're within view of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, you can enjoy the Vector Lights show. In the lead-up up to 12 o'clock, the bridge will turn a shade of teal to reflect the region's maunga, landscape and moana, and the display centres around the letters M and W to acknowledge the mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau. Maintenance work by NZTA means some of the display won't appear on the west side overarch.
Some inner-city streets will be closed to vehicles later in the evening, so spectators are advised to use public transport. Buses and ferries will be running on a Saturday timetable, with extra buses operating after midnight. The last ferries to Devonport leave at 12.15am; and to Matiatia at 1am. With trains out of action, there is a bus replacement service available.
Napier
This annual council-run extravaganza at the Soundshell promises to "set up the new year to be a banger". Live acts from 7pm include covers band Hands Off, and there are fireworks at 9.30pm and midnight.
Taupō
The local council is again putting on its Big Bang Fireworks Display at Tauaeharuru. The event runs from 6.30pm until midnight, with family-friendly activities, entertainment and fireworks displays.
Pukekura Park hosts New Plymouth's Festival of Lights. Photo: Supplied / © Charlotte Curd
New Plymouth
The Festival of Lights at Pukekura Park runs all summer, and will have extended hours on 31 December, running until 12.30am. This free council event is wheelchair accessible and very family-friendly - including an 8pm "countdown to midnight", a hula hoop workshop and a "toy box" parade for the kids. From 8.30pm live music and DJs take to two stages around the park in the run-up to 12 o'clock.
Palmerston North
The council hosts a free New Year's Eve in The Square from 5pm, with live acts such as The Lost Tribe of Aotearoa, workshops, cabaret acts and fireworks displays at 9.30pm and midnight.
Wellington
Head to Wairepo Lagoon on the capital's waterfront from 8pm for a free council-run New Year's Eve party. For the kids, there's a "countdown to midnight" and fireworks at 9.30pm, interspersed with local acts before a five-minute fireworks display at midnight.
Picton
Thousands head to the Picton foreshore every New Year's for the Marlborough District Council event, with free performances and fireworks. From 7.30pm there'll be bands and kids' entertainers as well as food trucks and fare at local bars and restaurants.
Nelson
Head to Trafalgar Street from 6pm for Nelson's New Year's Eve Countdown, with kids activities, bands, DJs and fireworks at midnight.
Queenstown
The waterfront in New Zealand's tourism capital is a beautiful setting for the council-run New Year celebrations. Kicking off at 2pm, the event includes live bands, DJs, a family-friendly vibe and fireworks to usher in 2025.
Fireworks at Hagley Park in 2021. Photo: AFP / NurPhoto
Christchurch
Love to scream along to Queen songs? You're going to love this free NYE party in North Hagley Park, which starts at 8pm and features a Queen tribute band from Australia, plus local acts and midnight fireworks.
Dunedin
RNZ's own Jesse Mulligan hosts New Year's Eve in the Octagon from 6pm. Bands include SingleTrack, Tomahawk Radio and Shakes and the Troublemakers, plus there's a countdown for kids at 8.30pm. The evening wraps up with a visual light show projected on to the Regent Theatre.
Rhythm and Vines attracts thousands to Tairāwhiti every New Year's. Photo: Kaelin Wade
Festivals
If you want to be among the first in the world to welcome in 2025, Rhythm & Vines (29-31 December) has become a classic summer festival - although its audience is increasingly leaning young. Set on the picturesque Waiohika Estate in Gisborne, it boasts a New Year's Eve lineup featuring Luude, Jyoty and Sir Dave Dobbyn. US rapper Ice Spice headlines the first day. Single-day passes on 31 December from $223.40.
Its southern sister held in Wānaka, Rhythm & Alps, is on 30-31 December and has a party atmosphere, incredible backdrop and a lineup including Sir Dave Dobbyn, Shapeshifter and Andy C. General admission tickets for New Year's Eve are sold out, but at the time of writing there were still two-day tickets ($340) and VIP packages available.
People in the Wellington region can head to Upper Hutt's Brewtown from 4pm for Brew Year's Eve. Live acts for this adults-only event include the Black Seeds, Home Brew and Sublime with Rome. Tickets from $119 but selling fast.
Northern Bass is ideal for fans of dance music. Photo: Supplied - Northern Bass/Facebook
Northern Bass (29-31 December) - held near Mangawhai in Northland - is a drum'n'bass festival beloved by techno-heads and devotees of electronic music. Tickets start from $230 for a single-day pass on 31 December; on-site camping costs extra.
AUM New Year's Festival at South Head in north-west Auckland runs from 30 December to 2 January. It touts itself as a family-friendly festival, with workshops, arts and multiple stages and dance floors featuring a host of DJs and acts including Oood, Roni Size, Salmonella Dub Soundsystem and Pitch Black. Full festival passes include parking and camping and start from $430; children under 5 free.
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