It’s officially New Year in a handful of places around the world. After Kiribati ushered in 2026, New Zealand followed soon after, with Auckland lighting up the night sky as fireworks burst from the iconic Sky Tower, marking one of the first major global celebrations to welcome the year.
Check out the New Zealand New Year 2026 visuals:
How New Zealand welcomed 2026
The New Year 2026 celebration began with a five-minute fireworks display with approximately 3,500 fireworks launched from various levels of the 240-metre (787-foot) Sky Tower, creating a dazzling spectacle in the hues of gold, purple, and red over the harbour.
Despite the rain and threat of thunderstorms that led to the cancellation of several smaller community events across New Zealand’s North Island, crowds gathered downtown, umbrellas in hand, to watch the show.
New Zealand, along with several South Pacific nations, is among the earliest places on Earth to ring in the year, a full 18 hours before New York’s Times Square tradition unfolds.
First nation to ring in the New Year was Kiribati!
The island nation of Kiribati officially became the first country on the planet to welcome the New Year 2026. Located in the central Pacific Ocean and positioned near the International Date Line, Kiribati once again led the global celebrations, stepping into the new year while much of the world is still observing December 31, 2025.
Visuals emerging from the island nation show vibrant New Year celebrations, with fireworks lighting up the night sky and locals coming together to welcome the year with joy and enthusiasm. Social media platforms were soon flooded with celebratory messages, photos, and videos from Kiribati, capturing the festive spirit.
