The urge to feed growling tummies is far outweighing the need to hide from the rain as people enjoy the Night Markets in Mount Maunganui.

The markets are normally held at Coronation Park at 5pm, but with today being New Year's Day organiser Kim Renshaw decided to start at an earlier time.

Matteo, 6, and Sophia, 8, Monseratt. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

The markets were initially due to start at 3pm, but impending bad weather saw the start time moved to 1pm. Read more here.

'The rain doesn't seem to be affecting the market very much.

'The only thing is that people are huddling under whatever we can huddle under.

'Everyone needs to eat, and they are coming to eat.”

Kim doesn't think it will be the market where you can sit down and lay around in the sunshine.

'But you can certainly have a feed and a boggie, and maybe go and comer at home afterwards.

'Bring an umbrella, bring a jacket and bring an empty stomach, and we will feed you until the rain gets really bad.”

Kim says the market will returned to 5pm starts for future Friday nights.

Meadow Smith, 10, eating a crumpet.

Gaye Seymour from Kingfisher Cakes and Crafts with her cupcakes.

Rubbish directors Lisa Fowler and Matthew Fairweather.