Countries in the Asia-Pacific region were the first to kick off the New Year's celebrations, with those in the South Pacific Ocean being the first to welcome 2025. Auckland was the first major city to count down to the new year. Thousands reveled and cheered at colorful fireworks launched from New Zealand's tallest structure, Sky Tower, and a spectacular downtown light show. People also climbed the city's ring of volcanic peaks for a fireworks vantage point, and a light display recognising Auckland's Indigenous tribes. It follows a year marked by protests over Māori rights in the nation of 5 million. Fireworks also blasted off the Sydney Harbour Bridge and across the bay as people in Australia rang in the New Year. More than a million people gathered at the iconic Sydney Harbour for the celebration, featuring British pop star Robbie Williams who led a singalong with the crowd. The celebration also featured Indigenous ceremonies and performances that acknowledged the land's first people. Other cities around the world are readying with celebrations highlighting local cultures and traditions, after a year dominated by ongoing conflict and political instability. In Japan, hundreds of locals and tourists crowded the grounds of Tokudai-Ji temple in Tokyo to celebrate the arrival of the new year. At the stroke of midnight, people used a rope to swing a wooden pole against the huge bell at the temple to ring in the new year. The tolling of bells at midnight is an ancient tradition for Buddhists, who believe that humans are born with 108 worldly desires and that these are removed when a bell is struck 108 times. Much of Japan has shut down ahead of the nation's biggest holiday, as temples and homes underwent a thorough cleaning, including swatting floor mats called "tatami" with big sticks. The upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as one of rebirth — alluding to the reptile's shedding skin. Stores in Japan, which observes the zodiac cycle from 1 January, have been selling tiny figures of smiling snakes and other snake-themed products. Other places in Asia will start marking the Year of the Snake later, with the Lunar New Year. Celebrations will echo around the globe as the New Year arrives in different time zones, with American Samoa among the last to welcome 2025 a full 24 hours after New Zealand. — Euronews
