By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The small Pacific island nation of Kiribati has once again taken center stage as the first country to usher in the New Year.
Kiritimati Island, also known as Christmas Island, celebrated the arrival of January 1, 2025, with jubilant festivities as the clock struck midnight earlier today.
Located in the central Pacific Ocean, Kiritimati operates 14 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 8.5 hours ahead of India.
This significant moment marks the start of global New Year’s celebrations, with Kiribati leading the world into 2025.
The island’s residents welcomed the fresh dawn with lively fireworks displays, upbeat music, and communal gatherings that filled the air with joy and anticipation.
Meanwhile, New Zealand also joined in as one of the first major nations to ring in the New Year.
At 11:00 GMT, cities like Auckland and Wellington lit up the night sky with spectacular fireworks displays.
Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower became the focal point of the celebrations, dazzling onlookers as it erupted in a blaze of colorful pyrotechnics.
The festivities in New Zealand unfolded 13 hours before London’s Big Ben would toll to announce 2025 and 18 hours ahead of New York’s iconic Times Square ball drop.
Across New Zealand, crowds gathered to marvel at the displays, share champagne toasts, and revel in the celebratory atmosphere.