Auckland has become the first major city to welcome 2025, with thousands counting down to the new year and cheering at fireworks launched from New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower.

Countries across east and south-east Asia including China, the Philippines and Malaysia have welcomed in the new year with firework displays and drone shows Celebrations have been scaled back or cancelled in South Korea following the Muan air crash on Sunday in which 179 people died Sydney saw in 2025 with a spectacular fireworks display - cheers erupted as the clock struck midnight and the skies lit up over the harbour Coming up: India's 1.