Elton John gig in Auckland is cancelled due to torrential rain

Elton John’s Auckland gig was cancelled on Friday after torrential rain battered the New Zealand city.

About 40,000 people were due to watch the Rocket Man, 75,  sing as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.

But moments before it was due to start, the gig was cancelled with promoters Frontier Touring tweeting: ‘Auckland, due to unsafe weather conditions, tonight’s Elton John concert for Friday 27 January will not be proceeding. 

‘The team is assessing things and will keep everyone across with further updates here. Thank you for your understanding.’ 

Frontier Promotions and Elton John have not revealed if the gig will be rescheduled or if those due to attend will get refunds.

Auckland Transport added that they were helping redirect special event buses to help people get home.

Thousands of fans braved wet weather only to be disappointed after arriving at the Mt Smart Stadium. 

It’s not clear whether Elton’s second gig in the city on Saturday will be going ahead.

About 40,000 people were due to watch the Rocket Man, 75, sing as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour 

Auckland Transport added that they were helping redirect special event buses to help people get home. Thousands of fans braved wet weather only to be disappointed after arriving at the Mt Smart Stadium

‘Elton should have been cancelled hours ago. Put a lot of people at risk with no transport options – other than cars which are actually being washed away from Mt Smart,’ said one fan on Twitter.

‘You should have cancelled hours ago when things started to get dire in Aux. What were you thinking?’ added another.

‘Should have been cancelled earlier. We have travelled down from Northland and can’t get home. We even contemplated not coming. We could tell it was going to a weather bomb. Thankfully have friends to help us but there will be hundreds of out of town people stuck,’ commented one concert goer.

Emergency workers and a man wade through flood waters in Auckland on Friday

‘This was obvious well before 7.10pm when people were already in their seats. Don’t suppose you’re planning on refunding people for the cost of Ubers, babysitters, transport which could have been avoided had your announced this a few hours earlier?! Appalling management,’ added one fan.

‘This is costing a lot of people in accommodation that can’t be refunded. You really should have made this decision sooner not when the water got up to peoples ankles,’ said one.

A state of emergency has been declared in Auckland following torrential rain with homes evacuated and the city’s airport flooded. 

Both the domestic and international airport were closed because of the flooding in Auckland

Auckland’s Mayor Wayne Brown declared a state of emergency due to the extent of the ‘damage, displacement and disruption’ caused by the weather.

Both the domestic and international airport were closed because of the flooding, with social media photos showing the check-in area in the International Terminal knee-deep in flood water. 

Videos on social media showed firefighters, police and defence force staff rescuing stranded people from flooded homes using ropes and rescue boats. No details were immediately available on how many people had been evacuated so far. 

Elton recently played his last ever shows in Australia. After wrapping up in New Zealand he’ll head to the UK for finish off the gigs. 

Major roads were also blocked by the floods, causing long traffic queues on highways