Tauranga City Council invites residents to welcome in 2020 with family, friends and neighbours at local, family-friendly events in the city centre, Greerton, Matua and Pāpāmoa.
Each event location will have live entertainment as well as 9.30pm fireworks, with Greerton instead having a laser light show (due to the horses that live on site).
Midnight fireworks will also be launched from various locations that will be seen across large parts of the city. Residents and visitors are encouraged to watch the display from their deck or backyard, ideally from a slightly elevated point.
City Centre New Year’s Eve celebration
The central city waterfront will come alive with family-friendly entertainment at this alcohol-free event. The celebration starts at 6pm, finishing at 9.30pm with fireworks.
Residents and visitors are invited to grab an early bite to eat in the CBD or bring a picnic and enjoy the celebration with the local community.
City Centre road closure
A full road closure will be in place from 3pm, 31 December 2019 to 2am, 1 January 2020 on The Strand, from Devonport Road roundabout down to Harington Street roundabout to support a safe event. Both roundabouts will be open to allow traffic flows.
There will be no vehicle access to The Strand via Hamilton and Wharf Streets.
Parking buildings and off-street car parks are free after 3pm and open 24/7. Access for deliveries and residents will be possible during the road closure, Car parking is available for mobility cardholders in the northern waterfront car park.
City Centre alcohol-free area
This event will take place within a permanent alcohol-free area to support a safe and community friendly atmosphere.
Find out more on City Centre alcohol free area
Greerton’s New Year’s Eve community celebration
For the first time there will be a local, family-friendly event held in Greerton starting at 6pm. Locals are invited to head along to Tauranga’s Racecourse to enjoy the early-evening entertainment including kids’ rides, music and street food. The night will be topped off with a laser light show at 9.30pm.
To reduce traffic congestion, it is recommended to travel by bike, walk or ride-share. Car parking is available onsite, including designated parking for mobility cardholders.
Greerton alcohol-free area
To support safe and friendly community celebrations in Greerton, Tauranga Racecourse Reserve will become a temporary alcohol-free area from 10am on Tuesday, 31 December 2019 to 6am on Wednesday, 1 January 2020. No alcohol can be carried or consumed in this area while the temporary ban is in place. Police have the power to search for alcohol and issue a fine.
Find our more on Greerton alcohol-free area
Pāpāmoa’s New Year’s Eve community celebration
Pāpāmoa residents are invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve with their neighbours at Gordon Spratt Reserve in Pāpāmoa. The entertainment includes kids’ rides, live music, games, roving performers, street food and pony rides. The event kicks off at 6pm, finishing with fireworks at 9.30pm. People are invited to bring a picnic or choose from the variety of food stalls.
The local, community event, welcomes people to travel by bike, walk or ride-share. Car parking is available for mobility cardholders in the main car parking area.
Pāpāmoa alcohol-free area
To support safe community celebrations in Pāpāmoa, Gordon Spratt Reserve (including Alice Way and Parton Road between Pāpāmoa Beach and Tara Roads) will become a temporary alcohol-free area from 10am on Tuesday, 31 December 2019 to 6am on Wednesday, 1 January 2020. No alcohol can be carried or consumed in this area while the temporary ban is in place. Police have the power to search for alcohol and issue a fine.
Find out more on Pāpāmoa alcohol-free area
Matua’s New Year’s Eve community celebration
Ōtūmoetai and Matua locals can once again come together to enjoy the early-evening entertainment including kids’ rides, live music, roving performers and street food from 6pm. The night will draw to a close with fireworks at 9.30pm.
Residents are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy the celebration with their local community or choose from the variety of food stalls on offer.
Due to limited general parking, people are encouraged to travel by bike, walk or ride-share. Car parking is available for mobility cardholders in the main car parking area.
Matua’s alcohol-free area
To support safe community celebrations in Matua, Fergusson Park will become a temporary alcohol-free area from 10am on Tuesday, 31 December 2019 to 6am on Wednesday, 1 January 2020. No alcohol can be carried or consumed in this area while the temporary ban is in place. Police have the power to search for alcohol and issue a fine.
Find out more on Matua’s New Year’s Eve community celebration
Reminder to attendees
All events are alcohol and smoke free events. Water refill stations will be available onsite, so attendees can bring along their own bottles to refill them. With the sun still strong in the early evening, people are also encouraged to slip, slop, slap and wrap. Please note some of the amusement rides will not have EFTPOS facilities so cash is best.
New Year’s Eve safety measures at Mount Maunganui
Although no event will be held this year at Mount Maunganui this New Year’s Eve, Tauranga City Council, NZ Police and other key organisations will continue to work together to support a safer environment for Tauranga’s residents and visitors.
Information on safety measures at the mount
For more events information
For information on event road closures this summer