2013 countdown firework plans cancelled for Wellington

Bad weather has forced the cancellation of Wellington's fireworks display but the show will go on.

Forecast strong winds led to officials calling off the fireworks display that was set to take place over the Wellington waterfront to mark the midnight arrival of the New Year.

Wellington City Council community events manager Rebecca Hardie says the experts hired to set off the five-minute display from a boat in the harbour said the strong northerly winds blowing through town would have sent the fireworks off pretty much sideways".

Hardie said there was a chance some of the residue would end up landing on the wharves.

New year events were planned for many cities and towns around the country.

TVNZ