Turn down the Céline Dion, plead residents worn out by 'siren kings'

A small city in New Zealand plagued by "siren battles" - cars decked out in loudspeakers commonly used in emergency warning systems and often blaring Céline Dion hits - is calling on authorities to end the noise.

- Serena Solomon

The battles are part of a New Zealand subculture where music enthusiasts cover their cars in dozens of industrial speakers, loudhailers and sirens, then compete to have the loudest and clearest sounds.

The mayor of Porirua, Anita Baker, said people were being kept up at night by cars cruising the streets or having set up in parking lots in speaker competitions. "We need to find somewhere alternative for these people to go or they need to stop," she said. Music by Céline Dion is a popular choice for siren battles, which originate from south Auckland's Pasifika population. While the events draw plenty of noise complaints, siren battles have also cultivated community.