Time ticking ahead of Auckland's New Year's Eve fireworks ...

Organisers of Auckland's New Year's Eve celebrations are refusing to let the weather ruin the revelry.

Strong winds in Wellington made some last-minute dashes to holiday hotspots impossible, but the Sky Tower's famous fireworks will not be fizzled by rain. 

The five-and-a-half-minute display, high in the sky above the city, has been six months in the making.

"We've got about 3500 fireworks up here - around about half a tonne of product," Pyrostar artistic director Robert McDermott told Newshub.

"We've got a crew of five pyrotechnicians and four riggers," he said. "We started here at about 6am and will be going right through."

Most of the crew have been involved in creating the spectacle for more than a decade now.

"We love to hear that very first shot go off and when that happens we're all more relaxed," McDermott said.

Some of the 500kgs of pyrotechnics are installed 20 metres up from the ground, taking 250 hours to set up and costing more than $200,000.

"There's traffic management plans that have to be done in and around the precinct also, so look, it's not cheap but we think it's a fantastic night to showcase Auckland at its very best," SkyCity chief operating officer Callum Mallett said.

They won't be letting the weather dampen the spirits.

"Everything's covered - the only thing that's going to stop us is if it's blowing a gale or if it's a hurricane. We're pretty right to go even in the rain," McDermott said.

"It'll just be a little bit uncomfortable for people downstairs, but we're going to go ahead no matter what."

Wind wanted to ruin the day in Wellington with more than thirty flights cancelled or unable to land due to strong gusts.

Luckily for those ringing in the New Year at home, winds have eased and the fireworks display at the waterfront is still going ahead.

Further south, those in Canterbury will welcome in the New Year with Rock the Park - the free event in Hagley Park which features acts like Elemeno P and more fireworks.

With the clock ticking towards midnight, McDermott admits "everyone's watching".

"We're the first major city in the world to celebrate," he exclaimed.

It's just the finishing touches to go, to make sure Aotearoa brings in the new year with a bang.