Tauranga's Christmas in the Park cancelled due to high winds

Strong winds have forced the organisers of Tauranga's Christmas in the Park to cancel it.

The annual event, to be held at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui, was cancelled just an hour before it was due to start.

Little Big Events, which runs the event, posted a notice saying the wind was too much of a health and safety threat.

"We're so sorry for the late notice but Mother Nature is not on our side today...and the wind is simply too much of a health & safety risk.

"Watch this space to see if we can move our #livemusic and #streetfood to a safer venue."

Singers Hollie Smith, Jordan Luck and Anika Moa were among the artists scheduled to play at the event which was due to run from 1pm to 8pm.

Smith tweeted: "So upsetting! Tauranga XMAS in the PARK has been cancelled with health & safety issues due to extremely high winds."

The event had originally been scheduled for Saturday and was postponed until today.