MELBOURNE, Australia: Auckland was the first major city to ring in 2026 with a fireworks display launched from New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower, followed by a defiant celebration in Australia in the aftermath of its worst mass shooting. South Pacific countries were the first to bid farewell to 2025. Clocks stuck midnight in Auckland 18 hours before the famous ball drop in New York’s Times Square. The five-minute display involved 3,500 fireworks. Defiant celebration in Australia after worst mass shooting Australia’s east coast welcomed 2026 two hours after New Zealand.

Auckland became the first major city to welcome 2026 with a rain-dampened celebration, ringing in the new year with a downtown fireworks show launched from...

Display follows more than 3,000 fireworks launched over Auckland’s famous Sky Tower as celebrations begin