Soaking up the sound
Adamp turn in the weather proved no barrier to Six60 fans, who turned out in their thousands for the Kiwi favourites’ sellout concert in Auckland last night.
Fans, who began arriving from 4pm, were treated to a pre-show event hosted by DJ Soraya and featuring newcomers such as Paige, Vayne and Mitch James. Aussie altreggae rock band Ocean Alley warmed up the crowd before the Kiwi hitmakers kicked off at 9pm.
After a wet start to yesterday, fans were warned to pack their ponchos, with a southwesterly change expected to bring a rogue shower or two mid-evening, but the prospect of a drop or two caused no headaches for the headline act.
“Family! It’s going to clear up this evening, we will be on stage tonight as planned!” Six60 posted on Facebook hours before the concert.
“A little rain isn’t going to stop this party!”
The much-longed-for rain fell across the upper North Island yesterday, but provided little relief for drought-stricken areas — some of which received none at all.
“It’s not a drought-breaker by any stretch,” MetService meteorologist Tuporo Marsters said of the front, which had moved offshore by last night.
As well there was little more on the horizon and warm, settled weather from Australia would both evaporate what had fallen and likely block future rain events for at least the next week.
“There are just too many highs coming over from Australia.”
In Northland, where, along with parts of Auckland, the Government declared a drought this month, the front offered almost no relief.
Dargaville, Kerikeri and Wha¯nga¯rei recorded no rain, while Kaita¯ia had just 1.4mm and Kaikohe a paltry 1mm. Five millimetres fell in Cape Reinga.
Auckland fared better, Waiheke Island especially, where a well-placed thunderstorm cell delivered 27.5mm and just over 23mm fell in Waita¯ kere. About 13mm fell at Auckland Airport while it was drier further north with 6.5mm in O¯ rewa, Marsters said.
Further south, Thames received 11mm while other areas south and to the east, including Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Gisborne were expecting rain last night.
Today it is looking sunny for most. There may be a few showers in Bay of Plenty, Taupo¯ and Gisborne, but other areas will be fine with temperatures in the low to mid-20s, Marsters said.