Rotorua set for Irish-themed celebrations this St Patrick's Day

You might have the luck of the Irish on your side this weekend as Rotorua turns green for St Patrick's Day and local bars commemorate with Irish-themed celebrations.

Irish ex-pat Kerri Sharratt Steiner was one of many locals who will be out celebrating come Saturday.

"In Ireland everybody gets the day off, so it's a time for people to come together.

"It's all about parades and sharing a few drinks, it is everything."

Steiner said New Zealand really seemed to get in the festive spirit.

"When you look at it on the whole, New Zealand is so supportive of Ireland.

"There's so many people from Ireland living here and whenever the All Blacks aren't on they love to cheer on the Irish.

"I think people just associate us as being a good lot."

Irish ex-pat Kerri Sharratt Steiner and her workmates from the Co-operative Bank are looking forward to St Patrick's Day. Photo / Ben Fraser

She said no one would judge if you didn't know who St Patrick was, most people in Ireland didn't either.

"Most people just know it as a day for celebrating Ireland with lots of green and Guinness."

Her advice to people giving Guinness a go for the first time was to mix it with a little bit of blackcurrant.

"I understand why they have to do it, but it's a little insulting to see it being served in a plastic pint glass."

Publican Reg Hennessy was expecting a big night and 30 kegs of Guinness would be on hand to make sure everyone got their fill.

"We will sell anywhere between 2000 to 3000 pints," he said.

"I always look forward to it. It's great to see so many people having so much enjoyment."

This was the 16th St Patrick's Day the Irish pub had celebrated and they would be starting early with Irish dancers at the pub on Friday night from 6.15pm.

Publican Reg Hennessy has stocked up with 30 kegs of Guinness ready to go for St Patrick's Day. Photo / Stephen Parker

"Lots of people have met their partners here, ended up getting married and still come back. It's just a great night.

"We get a great mix of tourists, international and domestic, and locals," Hennessy said.

Across Rotorua a lot of bars would be getting in the festive spirit, particularly with a large number of visitors in town for Crankworx.

SoBar bartender Kaitlyn Roberts said they were expecting a busy night.

"We are putting up a few decorations and we will have a special St Paddy's cocktail."

Staff at the Pig and Whistle would be getting in the festive spirit with live music and lots of green.

"Everything will be Irish for 24 hours," the marketing team said.