“This was the first celebration of New Years in the world ... especially with the 9pm countdown (for children).” He said it wasn’t taken for granted how lucky Nelson was to be able to gather together in their thousands in one place to see the year in, “while the rest of the world is in real strife”. Martin De Ruyter/Stuff The crowd enjoys the music of Nelson band Cover Me at Nelson's New Year's Eve party at the Church Steps. Local performance artist Karl Wulff taught children circus skills, then wowed the crowd with a fire show of twirling fire sticks and fire poi, “adding a bit of danger and excitement”, Carruthers said.