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Elton John

Elton John has postponed the final two shows of the New Zealand leg of his world tour after cutting a gig short due to suffering from walking pneumonia.

The 72-year-old was performing at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday when he stopped the show almost two hours in, telling the audience, "I can't sing... I've got to go. I'm sorry," but had vowed to continue the tour as planned.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, he announced the shows at the same venue on Wednesday and Thursday would not go ahead after he consulted with his doctors - and would be pushed back until next year.

According to the website Stuff.co.nz, the rock legend said in a statement: "I'm incredibly disappointed to have to reschedule my remaining Auckland dates and I want to send my sincerest apologies to my amazing fans for any inconvenience caused.

"I always want to be able to give 100 per cent and I'm afraid that, right now, I'm not able to do that. I am grateful for the love and loyalty I have been shown by all of you and I can't wait to return in January next year to perform my final New Zealand shows."

Promoter Michael Chugg said Elton was "devastated" to postpone the shows but he "has to listen to his doctors and recover properly right now".

The Auckland shows have been rescheduled for Jan. 15 and 16, 2021. The Rocket Man singer's next concert on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road trek in Melbourne, Australia, on Saturday is still going ahead as planned, pending further announcements.