Just hours before Russell Brand's New Zealand tour was due to kick off, promoters called it off.

The latest cancellation, of the British comedian's four-date tour, is one of a growing list of cultural, sporting and commercial events to be spiked due to the coronavirus.

On Friday, entertainment giant Live Nation ordered all touring acts to return home after the World Health Organisation declared coronavirus Covid-19 to be a global pandemic. Sporting events around the world, including the Black Caps v Australia game, have opted to play in empty stadiums.

​There have been five confirmed cases of coronavirus in New Zealand, all in Auckland.

The Pasifika Festival, which is the largest celebration and meeting of Pacific cultures and arts in the world, was also cancelled for the second year in a row on Friday. In 2019, organisers cancelled the event following the March 15 mosque attacks in Christchurch.

Despite the cancellations, the three-day long Womad music festival in Taranaki went ahead on Friday night.

Ki Price Russell Brand has cancelled Recovery Live in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Stuff asked Brand's publicity team on Friday and early Saturday morning if the concerts would go ahead. Shortly before midday Saturday, a spokeswoman confirmed the tour would not go ahead. All ticket holders would be given a refund.

"The promoters of the Russell Brand Recovery Live Tour of New Zealand regrettably advise that due to the ongoing global situation regarding Coronavirus and the associated travel restrictions, all New Zealand shows have had to be cancelled," a statement said.

"Ticket refunds for all shows can be obtained from point of purchase."

He had been set to perform in Auckland on Saturday and Sunday night, before shows in Wellington and Christchurch.

He was forced to cancel one of his Australian shows, in Perth, before arriving in New Zealand.

In a video posted to social media on Saturday morning, Brand said the decision to cancel the Perth show had been difficult but his partner convinced him it was the best thing to do. He urged fans not to panic.

"Wash your hands, be sensible, but significantly, remember how often we live in concepts and constructs that are not real and are not beneficial," he said.

The video did not address the New Zealand cancellations.

See Stuff's updating list of cancelled events here.