The world officially entered 2026 with New Zealand becoming the first country to ring in the New Year. In Auckland, thousands of people gathered despite light rain as a vibrant fireworks display lit up the night sky, marking the start of the year.
Midnight in Auckland was celebrated with a colourful fireworks show launched from the iconic Sky Tower, the tallest structure in New Zealand. The downtown celebration transformed the city skyline as bursts of light cascaded from the tower, creating a striking visual spectacle.
Five-Minute Fireworks Display
The five-minute show featured approximately 3,500 fireworks fired from multiple levels of the 240-metre (787-foot) Sky Tower. Even with steady rainfall, large crowds filled Auckland’s city centre to witness the first major New Year’s celebration anywhere in the world.
Home to around 1.7 million people, Auckland welcomed 2026 nearly 18 hours ahead of New York’s Times Square ball drop. Several South Pacific nations were among the earliest to bid farewell to 2025.
While Auckland’s main event proceeded as planned, a number of smaller community celebrations across New Zealand’s North Island were cancelled. Authorities cited forecasts of rain and possible thunderstorms as the reason for the cancellations.
Sydney Prepares to Welcome the New Year
Across the Tasman Sea, Sydney was preparing to welcome 2026 two hours after New Zealand. A major fireworks display was scheduled at Sydney Harbour, set to begin at 6:00pm Pakistan time.
Ahead of the celebrations, the Sydney Harbour Bridge was to be illuminated in remembrance of the victims of the Bondi Beach attack. The December 14 shooting, described as Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades, claimed 15 lives and left 40 others injured during a Hanukkah gathering.
A New Year Begins Across the Region
Despite the sombre tone surrounding events in Australia, celebrations across the region reflected resilience and remembrance. As fireworks illuminated the skies above Auckland, the world’s journey into 2026 officially began.