Rainy resilience with indoor NYE celebrations

Mauao, rising over the town of Mount Maunganui, is hidden by cloud and rain this evening. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

As the clock ticks down to midnight, residents and visitors in the Bay of Plenty are gearing up for a unique New Year's Eve celebration, forced indoors by the downpour dampening down the region.

The anticipated outdoor festivities have taken an unexpected turn as wet weather prevails prompting revelers to shift their plans from open-air gatherings to cozier indoor settings.

The uncomfortably warm and muggy last day of the year has dissolved into rain with northwesterlies, as a front over the North Island moves eastwards.

The rain isn't stopping people from enjoying the bars, restaurants and eateries at Mount Maunganui. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

The front has brought heavy rain to several places as well as some thunderstorms and downpours. MetService says conditions should ease tonight and early Monday morning

There is a Heavy Rainfall Watch in place for eastern Bay of Plenty until early Monday morning when it is expected to ease.

Mauao in the background, hidden by cloud. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Despite the change in atmosphere, spirits remain high as people adapt to the weather-induced twist on welcoming the new year. 

At Mount Maunganui, Mauao is obscured by thick white clouds and rain.

In downtown Mount Maunganui, walking in the rain appears to be a welcome change for some after the heat of the day, with the local bars, restaurants and eateries enticing people to stop and enjoy a meal either indoors or under cover outside.

Downtown Mount Maunganui on New Year's Eve. Photo: Rosalie LIddle Crawford.

Earlier, a SunLive reader reported that ambulance and police had cordoned off the BP Station at Mount Maunganui. 

Police say emergency services were responding to a report received at 4.20pm that a person had suffered a medical event at the premises.

A staff member at the scene told SunLive that, sadly, a person had died while visiting the petrol station. 

BP at Mount Maunganui. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

While the Tauranga City Council New Year’s Eve Community Celebration events are unfortunately cancelled, council staff are still doing their best to light up the skies around Tauranga with fireworks at 9.30pm and midnight tonight.

Weather permitting, fireworks displays will be visible from various locations around the city, however, unfortunately the Matua display is unable to proceed due to anticipated weather challenges with fireworks being launched from the water at this particular location.

"Health and safety is a priority, we can’t deliver the fireworks if there is a safety risk," says a council spokesperson.

"Our pyrotechnics provider will continue to watch the weather closely throughout the evening, and we’ll be updating our Facebook page with changes."

If they do go ahead, fireworks displays will be visible across Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa, Tauranga city centre and Waimapu estuary harbour areas.

"You will be able to watch the fireworks displays from a deck or backyard, or a safe elevated position," says a council spokesperson.

People walking past Mount Drury which has been fenced off from New Year's Eve revellers. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Rain cannot stop laughter, which may be echoing indoors more than outdoors this evening. The unexpected twist in plans which has given birth to a New Year's Eve marked by resilience and adaptability, is proving that even in the face of nature's spontaneity, the spirit of celebration can prevail, leaving an optimistic and hopeful tone as the clock strikes twelve.

 

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