The council issued a statement last week announcing planning was under way for a community celebration at Oamaru Harbour from 6pm to midnight, but made no mention of pyrotechnics.
Asked on Tuesday whether fireworks were planned for the night, a council spokeswoman did not answer the question directly.
''We are hoping to have something brief to acknowledge the change of year at midnight, and we are working through the options,'' she said in an emailed response to the Otago Daily Times.
At the end of 2017 in Oamaru, bagpipes played while a small crowd counted down the end of the year at Friendly Bay and fireworks - for the first time since the turn of the millennium - ushered in the new year.
In last week's statement, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said New Year's celebrations were again expected to be an annual event.
''We ran a New Year's celebration two years ago, intending for it to be an annual event, and now that we have an events co-ordinator on board, we can make that happen.
''We have a variety of entertainment planned, food stalls etc, and the idea is that it be fun for the whole family.
''We warmly invite people to join together in welcoming in 2020.''
