Countries in the South Pacific Ocean are the first to ring in the New Year, with midnight in New Zealand striking 18 hours before the ball drop in Times Square in New York.

From Sydney to Vladivostok to Mumbai, communities around the world have begun welcoming 2025 with spectacular light shows, embraces and exciting live performances.Auckland became the first major city to celebrate as thousands of revellers counted down to the new year and cheered colourful fireworks launched from New Zealand’s tallest structure,

Auckland has become the first major city to welcome 2025, with thousands counting down to the new year and cheering at fireworks launched from New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower.