Cheers to 2025: New Zealand and Australia Kick Off New Year Celebrations

Countries around the world are ushering in 2025 with a mix of jubilant celebrations and somber reflections.

Australia marked the new year in grand style with a dazzling fireworks display over Sydney Harbour, where nine tonnes of fireworks lit up the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Over a million spectators gathered to enjoy the spectacle, with Indigenous ceremonies also acknowledging the land’s first people.

In New Zealand, Auckland became the first major city to welcome 2025, 18 hours ahead of New York's Times Square ball drop. Thousands cheered as colourful fireworks erupted from the Sky Tower, accompanied by a light display honouring the city’s Indigenous Māori tribes. This follows a year marked by heightened awareness and protests over Māori rights in the country of five million.

Elsewhere in the South Pacific, celebrations continued despite regional challenges. Japan, which celebrates the Asian zodiac from January 1, ushered in the Year of the Snake, symbolizing rebirth. Festivities included traditional thorough cleanings of homes and temples. However, heavy snowfall in Hokkaido stranded many travelers, with some preparing to spend the night in airport lounges as flights were cancelled.

In contrast, South Korea observed a muted transition into the new year. Following the tragic crash of a Jeju Air flight at Muan, which claimed 179 lives, celebrations were either scaled back or canceled altogether.

Amid global festivities, political tensions also made headlines. Chinese leader Xi Jinping exchanged New Year’s greetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring the growing ties between the two nations. State media emphasized their pledge to “always move forward hand-in-hand,” despite international criticism of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and China’s strategic alignment with Moscow.

Puerto Rico faced unexpected challenges as a near-total blackout struck the US territory on Tuesday, leaving over 1.2 million people without power. Despite the outage, celebrations were expected to continue at the harbour, where pop star Robbie Williams was set to lead festivities.

As the world steps into 2025, the varying ways of celebration—from cultural displays to moments of mourning—reflect a year shaped by resilience, diversity, and ongoing challenges.