Shhh, it's Christmas - dozens in Tauranga called noise hotline on big day

Bay Dreams attracted a lot fewer noise complaints this year. Photo/George Novak

While you were sleeping off your Christmas Day over-indulgences dozens of people were calling the council to complain about excessive noise - festive or otherwise - in their neighbourhoods.

The 40 complaints to Tauranga City Council's noise control hotline on December 25 almost rivalled the 46 calls that came in between 6pm and 6am on New Year's Eve.

Overall, holiday season noise complaints were down 13 per cent on last year, with 435 received between December 24 and January 7, compared with 501 in 2016-17.

The council issued 21 excessive noise directions and, on one occasion, seized equipment.

One reason for the drop was a big reduction in complaints about the Bay Dreams music festival, held annually on January 2 at ASB Baypark.

Last year the council received more than 40 complaints - some from as far away as Welcome Bay - about noise from festival.

This year there were just three complaints.

According to a council spokeswoman, all three callers were concerned the concert should have finished at 10pm, when it was actually consented to operate until 10.30pm.

Pato Alvarez, a producer and director of the event, said it was "awesome" to hear there had been few complaints.

He said the sound team had worked hard to keep the noise inside the event.

Top 5 festive season noise complaint suburbs

1. Mount Maunganui
2. Papamoa
3. Gate Pa
4. Tauranga Central
5. Welcome Bay

Source: Tauranga City Council