New Zealand, with Auckland leading the celebrations, welcomed 2026 with a large fireworks display from the Sky Tower, despite rain dampening some smaller events. As one of the first major cities globally to ring in the new year, Auckland's festivities occurred 18 hours before New York's Times Square. Kiribati's Kiritimati Island was the first location worldwide to celebrate 2026. Meanwhile, Sydney, Australia, also held New Year's Eve celebrations with a significant police presence following a recent mass shooting.