The Pacific nation of Kiribati turned the primary nation to greet the brand new yr, with the clock ticking into 2023 one hour forward of neighbours together with New Zealand. New Zealand additionally ushered within the New 12 months with fireworks and a large mild present.

In Auckland, massive crowds gathered under the Sky Tower, the place a 10-second countdown to midnight preceded a fireworks show to welcome the brand new yr. The celebrations in New Zealand’s largest metropolis have been enormous after Covid-19 compelled them to be cancelled a yr in the past.