Thousands turned out at the Village Green and Rotorua lakefront to see in 2018.
I've always loved New Year's Eve.
It has a particular atmosphere you don't experience any other time of year - it's a mix of anticipation, hope for the year to come and reflection of the year past.
That atmosphere is amplified in large crowds and can make you feel almostgiddy with excitement. That's why public New Year's Eve events, when done well, are so great to attend.
Being a young professional with no children and disposable income, you would think I'd be the perfect demographic to target the city's New Year's Eve party too.
Instead, the Rotorua Lakes Council has decided to end what I understand to be its only free, public New Year's Eve party at 9.30pm.
Its reasoning was safety and security concerns and feedback from surveyed attendees who said they loved the family atmosphere and 9.15pm fireworks.
While I agree with that feedback - the earlier fireworks are a great way to get that New Year's Eve feeling without trying to keep a bunch of tired kids awake until midnight - I think it's a bizarre decision to can the midnight fireworks altogether.
I'm an adult who is capable of staying awake until midnight so why would you take away the option for me to ring in the start of 2019 alongside those in my community?
By making this decision the council is effectively ignoring a whole group of residents who want to be included in the city's events.
You're telling people like me - young professionals paying your rates and contributing to your economy - that you don't value us.
You're telling us that if we want an event that appeals to our demographic, we should look outside the city we live in and love.
I understand why the council wants to market Rotorua as a family-friendly place but why do other demographics need to be excluded to do this?
