Crowds begin to gather to watch fireworks at Auckland's Sky Tower. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Beaches, bars, campgrounds and festivals have been pumping today as people ring in the New Year.
Fireworks displays are planned throughout the country, and Auckland's Sky Tower display organisers have promised the biggest show yet with 500kg of fireworks at midnight.
Large crowds gathered beneath Auckland's Skytower as they wait for the fireworks display.
Joy, who had come to celebrate with his wife and son, says he hopes the worst of Covid is over.
"Hoping that 2023 will be a fabulous year for us.
"I see that the city is decorated today. The countdown has begun, so yeah, hoping for the best for the new year."
* Where will the fireworks display be tonight? Read our full round-up right here.
In Wellington hundreds of people were on the waterfront waiting for the capital's fireworks display.
The central city bar Dakota was expecting to get close to pre-pandemic numbers of people this New Year's Eve.
The hospitality industry has struggled with dwindling numbers of customers since Covid hit in 2020.
But Kayla Morton, the venue manager at Dakota, said its numbers are now starting to look more like they did in 2018 and 2019.
"So far through this holiday season, even through Chirstmas and things like that, we have basically doubled our numbers from last year."
Morton said it feels like things are going back to normal.
SkyCity chief operating officer Callum Mallett said six months of planning will culminate in a spectacular display, after Covid restrictions cancelled last year's event.
He said 500kg - about 3500 individual flares - will be let off over three levels of the Sky Tower in just five minutes.
A Queenstown bar manager said the town is pumping.
Liam Cabourn from Little Blackwood bar said it was a scorching day and partygoers are making the most of the sun.
"It's absolutely buzzing. The street's packed.
"They're setting up the mini-stage in the centre of Queenstown for the free live show tonight, the countdown to midnight.
"I work in a local cocktail bar and we're already full and pumping so I think we're looking at a big, big, big day and a big night as well."
Police say they will be out in force around traditional holiday hotspots tonight but they hope everyone will be sensible and safe.
Acting Commissioner Glenn Dunbier said police are encouraging people to enjoy themselves on New Year's Eve but also want people to look out for their friends so everyone gets home safely.
He said there will be a strong police presence focused on prevention and helping people celebrating to stay safe.
The Chatham Islands will be the first to ring in the new year. Photo: Supplied
Chathams ready to mark it first
Chatham Islanders will be raising a glass to the new year tonight and hoping more people will visit them in 2023.
The Chathams and Pitt Island are 45 minutes ahead of mainland New Zealand and will be the first places on Earth to welcome in the New Year.
Trudy McCallum from Hotel Chatham said tonight, a group of visitors will be celebrating with locals and she hopes more will follow in the coming months.
"We have a few people in, we have a few tourists in at the moment."
"Last year we were under restrictions with Covid, of course, but with the borders opening up for us we're still getting larger groups of tourists coming in.
"Yes, we'll just move forward from there."
McCallum said it has been a busy day on the Chatham Islands with locals enjoying a day at the races.
Camping out until 2023
Campers are gearing up for a big night at holiday parks around the country, where they will see in the New Year.
Almost 700 people are staying at the Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park north of Auckland.
Owner Richard Gunson said the park's noise rules have been relaxed, and people hope to enjoy a beach fireworks display.
"There's a couple of locals around Mangawhai here not far from us. They must have a pyrotechnics connection because they put on a pretty fantastic fireworks display.
"People just walk out on the beach and watch that from midnight until about half past 12."
Gunson said the holiday park has half-a-dozen zones where people can gather and listen to music.
"Most of the campers that are wanting to go to that sort of a thing will gather around those until about 12.30 and then make their way back, or watch the fireworks from those venues.
"That pretty much does really it for them. Quite a long day when you've been out in the sun and what have you with the kids, and then you're trying to stay awake until midnight."
Gunson said it's pleasing to see everyone enjoying themselves after a year of Covid-19 disruptions.
Fine weather over weekend
Revellers will be able to mark the start of the New Year in fine fashion, with settled weather across much of the country.
MetService said a large area of high pressure over the South Island has brought calm conditions to most places, apart from a few showers around Gisborne, Northland and Buller.
Meteorologist Stephen Glassey said the forecast is similar for the first day of 2023.
"It's looking like a continuation of today.
"Most areas fine, but once again, we are forecasting a few showers for the east of the North Island, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay, and also Northland.
"But the rest of the country should see largely fine weather. "