Kiribati, a small Pacific island nation, has once again taken the lead in ushering in the New Year. Kiritimati Island, popularly known as Christmas Island, marked the arrival of January 1, 2025, with joyous celebrations as the clock struck midnight earlier today.
Kiritimati, located in the central Pacific Ocean, is 8.5 hours ahead of India and 14 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). This momentous occasion marks the beginning of global New Year’s celebrations, with Kiribati leading the world into 2025.
The island’s population celebrated the new day with vibrant fireworks displays, cheerful music, and social gatherings that filled the air with excitement and anticipation.
Meanwhile, New Zealand joined in as one of the first big countries to welcome the New Year. At 11:00 GMT, towns such as Auckland and Wellington lit up the night sky with dazzling fireworks displays.
Auckland’s landmark Sky Tower was the focal point of the celebrations, dazzling onlookers with a blaze of colourful pyrotechnics. The festivities in New Zealand began 13 hours before London’s Big Ben tolled to proclaim 2025, and 18 hours before New York’s iconic Times Square ball dropped.
Across New Zealand, thousands flocked to admire the decorations, share champagne toasts, and enjoy the festive mood.
