There was no piper, there was no Auld Lang Syne and the music had long since been muted, but that didn't stop a crowd of thousands celebrating the dawn of 2015 in Dunedin.
Flares and explosion lit the sky above the Octagon as an estimated 5000 people celebrated the new year.
Heavy rain had earlier curtailed the plans for the night, but it didn't dampen the spirits of those in the city centre.
Dunedin City Council community events co-ordinator Marilyn Anderson was pleased with the turnout given the start to the night.
"Considering the circumstances I think we are very lucky,'' she says.
"At least we have the fireworks.''
In Queenstown, wet weather and strict enforcement of a liquor ban helped keep a lid on New Year's Eve celebrations.
Police reported a largely trouble-free build-up to midnight in Queenstown, with persistent drizzle and occasional showers appearing to curb any over-exuberance on the part of revellers.
A liquor ban in the public areas of the central business district was strictly enforced by police and security staff.
Long lines formed outside bars and nightclubs, especially after heavy rain about 10pm brought a temporary stop to a free concert in Earnslaw
Park.
However, a large crowd regathered in the park about an hour later, boosted by more than 1000 younger party-goers from Queenstown Lakeview
Holiday Park's youth park.
The crowds in the town centre were notable for a large number of family groups and overseas visitors as well as younger revellers.
The celebrations were capped off after midnight by a fireworks display from a barge in Queenstown Bay.
In South Otago, The Children's Big Dig was a hit at Papatowai Beach on the last day of 2014.
About 80 children scoured the sand for film canisters containing tickets for prizes.
The event, in roughly its 20th year, was one of a host of activities for families organised by the Papatowai and Districts Community Association for the New Year's Carnival at the beach.
A bonfire and fireworks were scheduled for last night.
Between 200 and 3000 gathered on Wanaka's lakefront to see in the New Year on a cool, damp night.
The crowd was treated to live music, entertainment and a fireworks display.
Southern Police said that 2015 was welcomed without any major incidents in the district's traditionally popular holiday destinations.
Overall, crowds in Queenstown and Wanaka were well behaved with only a few minor incidents, Inspector Kelvin Lloyd said.
"The vast majority of people have taken on board the police's prevention messages - drinking alcohol responsibly and looking after their friends and mates to ensure that everyone gets home safely from a good night out."
In Queenstown 14 people were arrested for disorder and alcohol related offences, while in Wanaka 7 were arrested for similar offences.
New Year in Dunedin was a fairly low-key event with only 9 people arrested for minor offences, including 3 for assaults.
Other places in the district such as the Waitaki Lakes and Southland also celebrated the advent of the new year without incident.
In Auckland, those at the Britomart Beach Party rang in 2015 with an array of live music. Performers for the festival, which boasted seven venues and kicked off at 2pm, included local acts Sola Rosa and Jupiter Project, as well as Britain's Freestylers.
Two large LED panels featured a countdown from 11pm at the Auckland Museum and the Harbour Bridge, with the midnight fireworks display lighting up the Sky Tower in a spectacular fashion.
On Waiheke Island, partygoers descended on Stonyridge Vineyard for the sold-out Highlife festival. More than 15 DJs set the beat at the dance party, with gourmet food on offer too.
Wellingtonians Michael Cundy and Angela Campbell - both 27 - started their night at the Shakespeare Hotel & Brewery in central Auckland. The pair had come to Auckland with four friends to attend Highlife.
"It's our first time," Mr Cundy said.
The festival's 12-hour line-up left plenty of time to have some quiet drinks at the Shakespeare, he said.
Further north, it was a night for dancing at the Northern Bass festival in Mangawhai. New Zealand's Fat Freddy's Drop hit the stage twice yesterday, with several international acts also lapped up by the crowd.
And at what was arguably New Zealand's biggest festival, an estimated 20,000 party-goers revelled at Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines at the Waiohika Estate Vineyard. In keeping with other years, the valley lit up at midnight with a bright fireworks display.
Police had said they were hoping for a smooth end to the three-day festival, the first two days taking place without any significant incidents.
For those less inclined to hardcore partying, several centres nationwide put on family-friendly entertainment.
In Rotorua, the young and old gathered in the early evening for the annual three-day GLO festival. Among the performers were popular Kiwi boy band Titanium, X Factor runner-up Whenua Patuwai, Rotorua singer Alayna Powley and former X Factor contestant Cameron Rota. "Mega fan" Tamara Cookson, 12, said she looked forward to seeing Titanium the most. "I will definitely be in line to meet them."
She and her friends Summer and Haydee Brogden, both 14, and Caitlyn Gibson, 15, said they had gone to the GLO's New Year's Eve Party in the Park every year.
"It's a family thing ... It's definitely the best place to be in Rotorua," Summer said.
Wellington had a special kids' countdown at 9pm at the Frank Kitts Lagoon, while Orchestra Wellington played music to go with a selection of movie images on the big screen.
At Mt Maunganui, much of the holiday hotspot was closed to traffic. Beachside Marine Parade was transformed into a family-friendly event zone, with revellers filling the street and sand around two stages.Joe's Van, New Reptiles, Daughters of Ally and Spank the Funky played, before a spectacular fireworks display filled the sky at midnight.
The night kicked off quietly, with cloudy skies and windy weather perhaps working against a big turnout.
James Patterson and his family from Pakuranga, among the first to pitch chairs at The Hits Street Stage, had chosen to spend their first New Year's Eve at the Mount over their usual campervan destination, Coromandel. "We've been really impressed with it and are going to stay as late as we can."
But Brent Burgess, who has lived in the Mount for half a century and had missed few of the New Year celebrations, said he knew to expect a good time. "The kids love it."
Nearby, Tauranga mum Angela Neville said the start of the night had been more relaxed than expected. "[It's] been great for the kids."
As the party began to crank up, police were pleased with the crowds, reporting only a few arrests for disorderly behaviour.
Extra police had been stationed at party hot spots around the country -- including the Mount and Gisborne -- in anticipation of a busy New Year's night. St John Ambulance also had more staff available.
St John director of clinical operations Norma Lane said that between 10pm and 2am on New Year's Eve the service's workload was tripled. Much of that would be related to alcohol.
Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae is to use his 2015 New Year's message to welcome new Kiwis. "Like those who followed them, the first New Zealanders came here to forge a better life for themselves," he will say tomorrow.
"Today, when a quarter of New Zealand's population was born elsewhere, we have the opportunity to ensure that our newest New Zealanders are welcomed, are valued, and are enabled to take their place amongst us," Sir Jerry said.
- additional reporting by Jamie Morton and Teuila Fuatai
