Cyclone Cook has forced the Jazz Festival to move some of its events to different locations, but other than that it's business as usual.
The 55th National Jazz Festival in Tauranga was due to kick off yesterday, but the arrival of Cyclone Cook has thrown a major spanner in the works for the festival team.
Director Becks Chambers said a large marquee had been set up on the Tauranga waterfront to house the Hurricane Parties on Saturday and Sunday but because of the safety concerns around Cyclone Cook and its severe wind gusts, the marquee covers were removed early Thursday morning.
The Hurricane Parties will now be held at the Totara Street indoor venue at 11 Totora Street, Mount Maunganui.
The Saturday Hurricane Party features powerhouse blues bands Swamp Thing and Brilleaux. The Sunday Hurricane line-up includes New Zealand's most loved funk band Hipstamatics and The Cactus Channel.