Family-friendly ways to spend New Year's Eve
Not keen on getting caught up with the rowdy crowds this New Year's Eve? Looking for somewhere to have fun with the family? Whether your children are staying up until midnight, or tucked up in bed well before then, here are some family-friendly events to ring in 2019.
Auckland
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NYE on the Coast - Silverdale Adventure Park, north Auckland
Fireworks, night rides, food stalls, a bar and entertainment, NYE on the Coast was created to fill the void for families who would like to celebrate in a festival environment that caters for adults and their children.
Cost - $50 for a Family Pass consisting of 2 adults and 2 children. Each additional adult or child is an additional $10. Visit Silverdale Adventure Park for more.
Harbour Bridge lights and Sky Tower fireworks - Central Auckland
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For the first time, Vector Lights on Auckland Harbour Bridge will join the celebrations with a sparkling display from 9pm, before building up to a countdown to midnight where it will pulse in time with the Auckland Sky Tower.
At the stroke of midnight, Vector Lights will explode into a five-minute spectacular designed to complement SKYCITY’s fireworks display from the Sky Tower, then continue until 1am.
Here are some of the best places to view Auckland Harbour Bridge:
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Sentinal Beach, Herne Bay
Mt Victoria, Devonport
Little Shoal Bay, Northcote
Harbour View Beach Reserve, Te Atatū Peninsula
Auckland Waterfront, CBD
Queens Parade, Devonport
Bastion Point, Orakei
Admission: Free
Hamilton
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Bowl and Party
The family-friendly Bowl and Social event on Victoria Street in Hamilton starts at 5pm with a special kids New Year countdown at 7pm.There will be a DJ and free popcorn. Standard bowling prices apply, booking is recommended.
Rotorua
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GLO Festival, Lakefront Village Green
Gather with friends and family on the lakefront and Rotorua Village Green and enjoy entertainment, a family movie, great food and a fireworks display. Festivities start at 4:30pm and finish at 9:45pm.
Admission: Free
Taupō
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The Great Lake Taupō Big Bang
Family activities begin with Minions the movie, a lolly scramble and light sabre giveaways, followed by two fireworks displays. The first is at 10:15pm, and the Big Bang display will be at midnight.
Admission: Free
Wellington
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Music, food trucks and a blast of fireworks will take place between 8pm and midnight at Whairepo Lagoon by Frank Kitts Park. For the wee ones who can’t make it to midnight there’ll be a kid’s countdown at 9pm with some fireworks.
Admission: Free
Ignite Marlborough - Picton
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Ignite Marlborough on the Picton foreshore is a family-friendly event with bouncy castles, food trucks and entertainers. The event starts at 7pm, and a fireworks display will ring in the New Year.
Admission: Free
Christchurch
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New Year's Eve at North Hagley Park
The night will kick off with family entertainment from 6pm with Mullet Man, free activities, fairies and a special kids countdown at 8pm.Then the party continues with DJs and live bands including headline act The Jordan Luck Band who will rock you into the New Year with a midnight fireworks display.
Admission: Free
Queenstown
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At the Queenstown lakefront at Earnslaw Park, families can welcome in the New Year with a line-up of live music across two stages and a fireworks display at midnight.
Admission: Free
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Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.3% Yes! New Year, New Me
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20.2% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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69.4% Nah - not for me
Morning Aches Are Optional - Let’s Start the Year Sleeping Better
Hey neighbours,
Waking up with sore shoulders and stiff mornings? Here’s the plot twist - it might actually be your mattress (and pillow) letting you down.
It’s the perfect time to upgrade. New Year, New Bed! Our Boxing Day Sale is still on, so why not treat yourself to a mattress that actually supports you and helps you wake up refreshed? Side sleeper? Back sleeper? Tossing and turning? We’ve got tips and solutions for every kind of snoozer.
Don’t settle for mornings that hurt, your bed should work with you, not against you. Curious about how your mattress could be affecting your shoulders? Check out our blog: beds4u.co.nz...
Find your nearest Beds4U store here: beds4u.co.nz/store-locator
Browse all Boxing Day deals: beds4u.co.nz/boxing-day
Here’s to starting 2026 waking up refreshed, because mornings should feel amazing!
Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland
Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.
A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/
Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.
• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.
• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.
• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.
Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.
Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.
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