Auckland police were last night investigating the kidnapping and abduction of a woman at the ever-popular Christmas in the Park.
Tens of thousands of Aucklanders had put the turbulence of this week's tornado tragedy behind them to enjoy a balmy, festive summer evening in the Auckland Domain.
But just before midnight Inspector Willie Taylor confirmed a woman had told them about 11pm she had been abducted.
Taylor described the situation as "raw" and was unable to say how the woman escaped from her alleged abductor.
He said detectives from Auckland CIB were interviewing the victim.
A crowd of up to 100,000 spanned from the Domain's grandstand to the War Memorial Museum for a free night of entertainment.
"I can't believe that on Thursday there was a tornado and now we're sitting under a cloudless, blue sky," said North Shore teacher Candice Cain, who arrived more than four hours before the show with blanket and picnic.
While some were disappointed their view was obscured by hundreds of people continually walking six-deep along makeshift aisles, the entertainment shifted into another gear after dark when boy band Titanium and Australian reality TV singing star Guy Sebastian took the stage.
And for those who missed last night's show, another popular event will take place next Sunday when St Paul's Church holds it annual Christmas carol service Carols by Glowstick at Vector Arena. The event starts at 6pm and entry is $5.