Spectators enjoyed 5 minutes of fireworks on the stroke of midnight to welcome in the New Year in Auckland.

Revellers around the country welcomed in 2016 with music and fireworks, including 500kg of pyrotechnics lighting up the Auckland night from the top of the Sky Tower.

A four-hour laser show was beamed onto the Sky Tower in the lead-up to five minutes of fireworks choreographed to a soundtrack of Kiwi music, featuring Savage, Shapeshifter and Sol3 Mio.

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Bevan Read/Fairfax.co.nz Auckland sets the tone with a bang, 5mins of fireworks from the sky tower.

Laser company Soulstorm director Benjamin Lawrence said the 30 watt beams from the lasers were so powerful that they had to be directed away from the glass lifts going up the Sky Tower, and away from passing air traffic.

Free New Year festivities returned to North Hagley Park this year, with the Summertimes New Year's Eve Party. The line-up included young singers and dancers, before the adult entertainment took to the stage from 9pm. Thousands of people flocked to Mt Maunganui, where they were entertained by band Trinity Roots, SunLive reported.

Later in the evening DJ Lyrakill, one of New Zealand's most renowned club DJs, drew crowds to the beach stage. A midnight fireworks display ended the year with a bang.

1 of 18 BEVAN READ/FAIRFAX NZ Auckland sets the tone with a bang, 5mins of fireworks from the sky tower. 2 of 18 BEVAN READ/FAIRFAX NZ The many colours of the fireworks from the Sky Tower in Auckland at midnight on 2015 New Year's Eve. 3 of 18 MARTIN DE RUYTER/FAIRFAX NZ The large crowd at the New Year's Eve countdown at the Church Steps in Nelson. 4 of 18 JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ New Year fireworks light up the sky above Timaru's Caroline Bay at midnight. 5 of 18 JARED DONKIN There was a "marked improvement" in behaviour at Rhythm and Vines, police say. 6 of 18 BEVAN READ/FAIRFAX NZ The many colours of the fireworks from the Sky Tower in Auckland at midnight on New Year's Day. 7 of 18 DEREK FLYNN/FAIRFAX NZ Diamond Divas entertain a big crowd during New Year's Eve celebrations on the Picton foreshore. 8 of 18 DAVID UNWIN/FAIRFAX NZ A masked performer from Highly Flammable dancers with a couple of flame throwers during Palmerston North's New Year's Eve celebrations in The Square. 9 of 18 BEVAN READ/FAIRFAX NZ 31122015 News Photo: Bevan Read / Fairfax NZ First to welcome 2016. Auckland sets the tone with a bang, 5mins of fireworks from the sky tower. 10 of 18 BEVAN READ/FAIRFAX NZ The many colours of the fireworks from the Sky Tower in Auckland at midnight on New Year's Day. 11 of 18 STACY SQUIRES/FAIRFAX NZ Tania Mazzola, 22 (L) and Sarah-Jane Norris, 21 heading for Christchurch's square to see the new year in. 12 of 18 STACY SQUIRES/FAIRFAX NZ Christchurch gets ready for the New Year's countdown. 13 of 18 STACY SQUIRES/FAIRFAX NZ Devon Smith (C) with her girlfriends ready to party in Christchurch. 14 of 18 STACY SQUIRES/FAIRFAX NZ Jonty Moore 13 and sister Claudia 11 seeing the new year in at Hagley Park. 15 of 18 David Unwin/Fairfax NZ. Thousands turned out for the entertaining party in Palmerston North. Cindy Napier with Thea Cirimakaumoli. 16 of 18 Monique Ford / Fairfax NZ The Big Band New Year's Eve celebration at Summer City Frank Kitts Park in Wellington. The Fitch family from Karori - L-R: Sophie (9), Liam (6), Ainsleigh (11), Baeleigh (11). 17 of 18 MONIQUE FORD/ FAIRFAX NZ The start of The Big Band New Year's Eve performance at Summer City Frank Kitts Park, Wellington. 18 of 18 MONIQUE FORD/FAIRFAX NZ The early crowd at the start of The Big Band New Year's Eve - Summer City celebration at Frank Kitts Park, Wellington.

In central Tauranga, families and friends welcomed in 2016 with live music and a waterfront barbecue, followed by a spectacular fireworks display at the family-friendly time of 9.30pm.

On a brilliant Wellington night, New Year's Eve celebrations at the harbourside Frank Kitts Lagoon included fireworks and music from the Rodger Fox Big Band.

Nelson welcomed in 2016 with pumping music, spectacular fireworks and family fun.

STACY/SQUIRES/FAIRFAX NZ. Revellers in high spirits see in the New Year in Christchurch.

About 6000 people gathered on Trafalgar St near the Church Steps to boogie down at this year's holiday bash, described by organiser Huup Waagen as a "socially engineered" family-oriented event.

At music festival Rhythm & Vines, near Gisborne, police said behaviour was a marked improvement on a year ago. They arrested three people overnight for disorder and one for assault, and turned away dozens of "highly intoxicated" people.

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