Wellington's road cone Christmas tree Photo: Georgina Campbell
Santa is deferring his visit to Wellington by a day due to heavy rain and northerlies forecast for the capital on Saturday.
Wellington City Council is now staging its Christmas event on Sunday, with a range of free activities in Waitangi Park including ice skating, a snow dome, foam pit, crafts and performances.
Santa will touch down in his sleigh at 11am near the Clyde Quay Wharf Marina and head to Waitangi Park, where he will dismount to meet the crowd.
He will then be available for private audiences in his grotto until 5pm.
MetService said Wellington would have "occasional rain, persistent for a time late morning and afternoon" with "strong northerlies". Rain was expected to be heaviest around 10am.
It was also expected to rain on Sunday, however, according to the forecasters' website.
A heavy rain watch was in place for the Tararua Range, north of the city, from 4am Saturday until early Sunday morning.