GISBORNE - Diehard revellers are refusing to let Gisborne's party atmosphere subside after the success of its much-hyped millennium celebrations.
About 135,000 people - 25,000 more than organisers of Year 2000 celebrations had expected - flocked to the first city in the world to see the dawn of thenew millennium.
Although the crowd quickly dwindled over the weekend, the adrenalin lingered for those who remained and went in their thousands to weekend events, including a $15,000 fireworks display on the riverbanks on Saturday night.
Yesterday, more fine weather helped to keep the carnival atmosphere going in the city centre, which is still closed to traffic, and bars and cafes continued their busy trade.
The Tuia 2000 street festival, which has presented more than 500 performers and acts, enters its second week today.
But the highlight of the weekend was the 24 hours from the beginning of Gisborne's town clock party on New Year's Eve until the flotilla of 18 waka landed on the shores of Midway Beach after a spectacular sunrise.
About 40,000 people fought off weariness to flock to the sand dunes for the $1 million Ruamano 2000 dawn ceremony, beginning at 3 am. The emotive sound of Maori women performing waiata was mixed with expectation as pink smudges appeared on the horizon and Gisborne held its breath for a clear sunrise.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, accompanied by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, was outshone by nature as people trekked across the dunes, desperate not to miss the dawn.
Dame Kiri's voice serenaded the waka and the tall ships Soren Larsen and Spirit of New Zealand, with their sails lit up, as the sky lightened.
Some 60 hardy people, including a couple of streakers, took to the water for an impromptu swim.
Just as the crowd had given up hope of seeing the sun emerge from the clouds, a small but flaming orange ball rose above the sea, receiving a cheer from those lining the beach.
Although a few drops of rain fell during the dawn ceremony, the front that dampened celebrations in other cities and on Mt Hikurangi held off until the Gisborne crowd had seen the sunrise.
Satisfied, the watchers made a mass retreat to homes, motels and camping grounds, and the entire city seemed to collapse - leaving streets deserted until about 3 pm on New Year's Day.
