Rod Stewart cancels his New Zealand shows this year

Rod Stewart has been off the road since the pandemic shut down his Las Vegas residency and world tour plans last year, and now the 77-year-old singer has cancelled his shows down under.

Originally set to take place in November 2020, Stewart's Dunedin and Mission Estate Winery shows as part of The Hits! world tour were pushed out to April 2022, due to ongoing uncertainty about Covid-19.

However, today the legendary rocker announced he has canned his upcoming Aotearoa tour due to ongoing travel restrictions amid the influx of Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant.

Stewart said in a statement: "My dear friends, once again I feel we've all been cheated by this evil disease, so it is with great regret that I announce my shows for 2022 have had to be cancelled.

"My thoughts are with all your families at this difficult time as we come out of the joyous and hopefully safe holiday season and I look forward to returning to New Zealand as soon as the health situation permits.

"I'm absolutely gutted with disappointment and when I do eventually get there we'll have the party to end all parties. Guaranteed!"

What ticketholders need to know:

Promoters say ticketholders for the Dunedin performance should contact their original authorised point of purchase for a full refund, within 30 days from notification.

Customers who received their tickets in another way, including through Ticket Forward are advised to contact the original ticket buyer for a refund.

For those who bought tickets to the rocker's Mission Estate Winery concerts in Hawkes Bay, automated refunds will be issued to the purchasing credit card. If this is not successful, ticketholders will be contacted to arrange a refund via bank transfer.

Cancelled tour dates:
DUNEDIN FORSYTH BARR STADIUM - Wednesday 6 Apr 2022
HAWKE'S BAY MISSION ESTATE WINERY - Saturday 9 Apr 2022
HAWKE'S BAY MISSION ESTATE WINERY - Sunday 10 Apr 2022