WATCH: New Zealand's Auckland welcomes New Year 2025 with fireworks, light show

New Zealand's Auckland has become the first major city to welcome 2025. Thousands of revellers witnessed the new year, cheering at colourful fireworks launched from New Zealand's tallest structure, Sky Tower, and a spectacular downtown light show.

Thousands also thronged to downtown or climbed the city's ring of volcanic peaks for a fireworks vantage point, and a light display recognising Auckland's Indigenous tribes. It follows a year marked by protests over Maori rights in the nation of 5 million. Check the video here:

WATCH | With dazzling fireworks display, New Zealand's Auckland welcomes #NewYear2025

(Source: TVNZ via Reuters) pic.twitter.com/UKhswRnJkE

— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2024

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. Other cities around the world are readying with celebrations highlighting local cultures and traditions, after a year roiled by ongoing conflict and political instability.

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In Australia, more than 1 million people are now expected at Sydney Harbor for the traditional fireworks. In Dubai, thousands are expected to attend an annual fireworks show at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper. Celebrations will echo around the globe as the New Year arrives in different time zones, with American Samoa among the last to welcome 2025 a full 24 hours after New Zealand.

(With inputs from PTI/AP)