LONDON — The Pacific island nation of Kiribati was the first country to hit 2025, with its 133,500 citizens celebrating the new year at 5 a.m. ET on Tuesday.
The Micronesian nation was followed in 2025 by New Zealand’s Chatham Islands at 5:15 a.m. ET.
Most of the rest of New Zealand crossed the International Date Line at 6:00. Tokelau, Samoa, Tonga and some Antarctic islands were among those who joined the party soon after.
Auckland, New Zealand
New Zealand’s capital Wellington and largest city Auckland — both located on the country’s North Island — welcomed 2025 at 6 a.m. ET. Fireworks lit up the Auckland sky as crowds watched.
Sydney, Australia
Residents of the Western Australian city of Sydney enjoyed a fireworks display three hours before midnight, which will be at 8:00.
The famous Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House provided a popular backdrop for New Year’s Eve revelers in the country’s biggest city.
9pm fireworks are seen during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Bianca De Marchi/AP
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