Auckland, New Zealand, has become the first major city to usher in the New Year, marked by vibrant fireworks and light displays, while other nations are preparing for their own unique celebrations. The city's Sky Tower served as the focal point for the dazzling fireworks, with thousands gathering for the spectacle.
The celebrations in Auckland also featured a downtown light show, with a tribute recognizing the city’s Indigenous tribes. This comes after a year marked by protests relating to Māori rights, highlighting the cultural context of the festivities.
Japan, preparing for its own New Year on January 1st, saw temples and homes undergoing thorough cleaning rituals. Visitors to Sensoji Buddhist temple participated in cleansing ceremonies, while shops sold snake-themed items in anticipation of the upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac.
Meanwhile, in Vietnam, New Year celebrations are underway, with traditional costumes and countdown concerts drawing large crowds. Preparations were also observed in New York City's Times Square as the city geared up for its own New Year's Eve festivities, as well as Cambodia, and even in the freezing waters of Switzerland.
