Christmas came early to the streets of central Auckland on Sunday with the annual Santa Parade.
And despite it pouring down thousands flocked to see the man in red and a special international guest.
They came in droves, armed with umbrellas along Auckland's Queen Street. Ready for the wild weather but even underneath waterproof jackets the crowds were brimming with excitement for Christmas.
As the skies darkened one man remained optimistic.
"I think today's going to be good for us, overcast, bit cooler. One year we were up here and it's hailed," parade section leader Mark Brinsbury told Newshub.
While it didn't hail it certainly got cooler and wetter. But that didn't get in the way of festivities and there was plenty to be excited about. There were marching bands, bagpipes, Mickey Mouse and Thomas the Tank Engine.
And it took two weeks of quarantine but the parade had one special international guest - Peppa Pig. Not even the rain could dampen the excitement for the rockstar of the Santa Parade.
She flew all the way from the US after her parade gigs in the States got cancelled to be here for Christmas.
It took over an hour and several volunteers to blow up the float standing nearly 10 metres high above the crowds.
And then it was time for the main event - Santa the big man in red, taking a break from his Christmas list to wish little Kiwis a merry Christmas.
Spreading a little cheer on a rainy day.
