Thousands of people flocked to the annual Octagon celebrations in Dunedin on a warm summer's night, enjoying live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display which brought in the new year.
Cheers of awe and amazement rung out as the crowd fixated on the colourful seven-minute fireworks display atop the Civic Centre, rounded out by a series of sizzling gold sprays and flashing silver stars lighting up the night sky.
The display was preceded by a firing of the Robbie Burns cannon and a rendition of Auld Lang Syne from a lone piper.
The mood was festive and the temperaure still a balmy 19degC in the central city as the clock approached midnight, according to MetService.
Earlier, Dunedin band Idol Frets were part of the entertainmetn as the crowd gathered near the stage on the grass area of the Octagon as well as those dining outdoors on a sunny evening.
Dunedin City Council community events co-ordinator Marilyn Anderson said the crowd was expected to reach 20,000 at its peak.
"Which is great because we're pulling everyone into the central city and celebrating together.''
