Fireworks in the sky: New Zealand was one of the first to welcome the New Year
Kyiv • UNN
Auckland marked the start of 2024 with a grand fireworks display near the Sky Tower. New Zealand became one of the first countries to welcome the New Year after Kiribati and the Tonga Islands.
New Zealand officially celebrated the arrival of the New Year, becoming one of the first countries in the world to enter 2024. The spectacular fireworks show over the Sky Tower in Auckland was the main event of the celebratory night. This is reported by UNN with reference to the live broadcast.
The celebrations in Auckland, where the Sky Tower became the main stage for the spectacle, attracted special attention. This iconic structure towering over the city became the center of a grand light and fireworks show. Thousands of people gathered on the waterfront, and millions of viewers watched the event online. This year, the organizers surprised with new effects and surprises that made the celebrations even brighter.
New Year's in New Zealand is more than just fireworks. It's a time for cultural events, festivals, and family gatherings. The summer season adds a unique charm to the festive atmosphere: many residents spend this time outdoors, enjoying the warmth and beauty of the surrounding world.
Who celebrates first
In the world, the residents of the island of Kiritimati, also known as Christmas Island, which is part of the Republic of Kiribati, are the first to celebrate the New Year. Due to its location in the UTC+14 time zone, Kiritimati is ahead of most of the planet in its celebrations.
An interesting fact is that Kiribati has three different time zones, which means that not all residents of the republic celebrate at the same time. For example, the time difference between Ukraine and Kiritimati is 12 hours, so Ukrainians start their celebrations when it's already lunchtime on Kiritimati.
After Kiritimati, the New Year is celebrated by the residents of the islands of Tonga and Chatham, located near New Zealand. Then the holiday moves through Australia, Japan, Korea, China, Southeast Asia, and gradually covers Europe. Ukraine is in the UTC+2 time zone, so Ukrainians celebrate the New Year among the first of the European countries.
The last to welcome the New Year are the uninhabited islands of Baker and Howland, which are in the UTC-12 time zone. Before them, the residents of American Samoa (UTC-11) celebrate. Thus, the celebration of the New Year lasts for a whole day, and each country has its unique moment to welcome the year with hope, plans, and a festive mood.
Supplement
UNN wrote that cities around the world are preparing to welcome the New Year, organizing celebrations that highlight their unique culture and traditions, after a difficult year filled with conflicts and political upheavals.
