S'more of that!

'I'm so glad I paid my rates because it was such a good night.” This was overheard after the early evening fireworks event on the Strand in downtown Tauranga.

It's looking like the council's desire to have a family-friendly night was turning into a friendly-city event.

Wandering back to the office to write up the last few hours, I chatted with a dad and his son as they headed back to their car. It was clear that the congenial atmosphere on the Strand and the earlier-timed fireworks was a winner with both of them.

'It's great that it all happened before his bedtime,” the father said, wishing to remain anonymous.

The fireworks spectacle brought ‘oohs' and ‘ahhs' to many other children also up past their bedtime. Starting at 9.30pm, the show lit up the water and sky, watched by hundreds of people on the Tauranga waterfront. Another display is due at midnight.

Over at Harrison's Cut in Papamoa, Lloyd Davy is with friends on the beach around a small bonfire making 'S'mores”. Consisting of a sandwich of roasted marshmallows and chocolate between crackers, it appears no beach campout is complete without toasting marshmallows over an open fire.

'You should be here Rosalie!” Lloyd admonished. I mumble something.

'It's very peaceful here in Papamoa," says Lloyd. "There's about three or four other groups scattered along the beach near us around their own fires.”

'We've been sitting here talking, sharing, sipping coffee and toasting marshmallows," he continues. "It's a little cool and there was a bit of a wind but we shielded our fire with a car.”

Why are they called S'mores? Apparently the sweet, warm, delicious treat always leaves people wanting more. S'more is thought to be a contraction of the phrase 'some more” as in 'I want some more of those s'mores!”

Lloyd Davy, Billy and Bev Waterston and Johan Nienhuis around their bonfire at Papamoa

In Greerton my sister Carole Meredith messages me over Facebook.

'I'm sitting watching TV. And happy with that!” she writes. I grunt. A family tradition is to have strawberries and icecream at midnight on New Year's Eve. She then goes on to describe how they went over to the neighbours to share their leftover Guy Fawkes sparklers and eat what sounds a lot like a S'more.

Earlier in the day, I was up watching sunrise at the Mount, and found the contractors at 5.30am already busy setting up fencing around Mount Drury and along Marine Parade.

A one-way system of traffic flow around the Mount sounded brilliant until I confused myself later trying to get home to feed my cat. But it generally worked for most. Not for the Pepi Toot beach train which wasn't able to carry passengers off the two cruise ships through the centre of Mount Mainstreet.

As the day progressed into the afternoon, the relaxed atmosphere permeated Pilot Bay where families were having 'shipnics' – outdoor meals while watching cruise ships depart.

Tauranga's Indian on horseback, skateboarders and rollerbladers cruised past through the one-way streets. Guitar strummers, balcony parties, off-shore boat parties, it was all looking hopeful for a quieter New Year's Eve than last year.

On the main beach, the oystercatchers were quietly nesting, people were chilling out in the cafes, and rollerbladers, surfers and beachgoers enjoyed the sunny day. A gentle northerly breeze continued as gradually the police and security people became more visible in the late afternoon strolling in small groups around the Mount streets.

Over at ‘Alcatraz' behind the Mount police station, security vehicles and ambulances parked ready for being called into action later in the evening.

The Radiance of the Sea cruised out of the harbour, the sun set and after successfully passing through the alcohol checkpoint in Salisbury Ave I had headed over to The Strand to watch the fireworks.

It was stunning. Afterwards I passed the police 'paddy wagon' on the Strand.

"Anyone in there?" I asked. Negative was the reply. It was a quiet night so far.

Driving back to the Mount about 1am, the glistening city lights over the harbour reflected this Tauranga friendly vibe. Nearing the Mount township, the pavements were dotted with hundreds of revellers leaning on light poles or each other, sitting on the concrete and spilling out onto the road, some unaware of traffic.

Following the one-way roading I stopped on the main Mount beach and went for a wander along the boardwalk under the huge overhead lights brought in to light up the sand. The place was humming with generators powering the lights. A local couple also out strolling expressed surprise at the lack of people around.

"We're happy with the way it turned out," said one of the couple, wishing to remain anonymous.

"We live here. We thought when they cancelled the fireworks and the bands, that it would turn ugly. Everyone we talked to thought 100,000 would turn up with nothing to do. But they've all gone to Whangamata."

We talk about how many of the local bars put on their own events.

"One of the local Mount bars sold 500 tickets for $60 each. $30,000 pre-sold. No door sales on the night. That's brilliant!"

The bars will be staying open until 2am tonight.

A couple of police wandered past as we chatted, and the couple called out a greeting to them.

"We're locals and thought you guys would be busy tonight," they said. "We're used to bands and teenage kids with their mums and dads. It's very quiet."

"They went to Whangamata," one of the policemen replied. "It's a nightmare there right now."

The police continued their stroll down to the surf club. They will remain on duty until 5am.

What a relaxed afternoon and early evening it has been. We want some more of that please Mr Mayor. S'more.

Hopefully the rest of the night stays as chill.