Angry ticketholders have lashed out online at a lack of information over whether hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan's Auckland concert on Tuesday night is going ahead or not amid a local state of emergency being called.
The concert is due to start at 7pm at Auckland's Spark Arena, but at 12.59pm, Auckland mayor Wayne Brown declared a local state of emergency as the region was pounded by thunderstorms.
Heavy rain continued through the afternoon with Aucklanders officially advised to head home early and avoid any non-essential travel as floodwaters rose.
However, by 4.30pm, there had still not been any decision announced about whether the concert would go ahead, leading to many posting frustrated messages on Spark Arena's Facebook page.
"Surely refunds will be offered to those who can't get there? Isn't there a state of emergency? Travelling from Papamoa is no longer an option," one said.
"Need updates on whether this is cancelled," another pleaded.
"It's got to be cancelled... we've sent people home to work," another said.
Wu-Tang Clan themselves shared footage of the soundcheck at Spark Arena on their official Instagram Story on Tuesday, with Spark Arena's official account reposting it.
Another shared an image of their DM with Spark Arena on Instagram, sending them a copy of the Civil Defence Alert which went out on Tuesday after midday and asking if the event was cancelled. A reply from Spark Arena's Instagram said: "The Wu-Tang Clan and Nas event tonight is proceeding as scheduled. If there are any changes we will contact all ticketholders directly via email."
That reply was sent at 1.49pm, around 50 minutes after the state of emergency was declared.
Newshub has contacted local promoters of the concert, but as of the time of publishing, no official decision has been communicated to media about the event.
At 4.30pm, a release from Auckland Transport pleaded with Aucklanders to "avoid travelling" tonight.
"We're asking Aucklanders to avoid travelling this evening once they have made it home safely," said AT Group Manager Metro Services Darek Koper.
Earlier in 2023 on Auckland Anniversary Weekend, people with tickets to Sir Elton John's farewell concert at Mt Smart Stadium were furious after it was cancelled at the last minute due to heavy rain and flooding.
That extreme weather event on a Friday in January saw hundreds of evacuations as roads and houses become flooded.
The concert was cancelled because "it's far too dangerous", a spokesperson said at the time.
However, many concertgoers were left stranded and soaked after the concert was called off amid the downpours.
Also today, the Auckland leg of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival was postponed by the NZ Comedy Trust amid the bad weather.
The Trust decided to postpone its Auckland shows for one night only, with Wellington shows to carry on.
There were due to be 18 shows on in Auckland on Tuesday evening.
