Auckland welcomes 2026 with a gentle fireworks display

Auckland rang in 2026 with a brief fireworks display from the Sky Tower. Rain led to cancellations of some smaller community events on New Zealand's North Island.

Auckland welcomed the new year with a short downtown fireworks display launched from the Sky Tower. The show came early in the global sequence of celebrations because New Zealand is among the first places to reach midnight. Forecast rain affected smaller events on the North Island, and some community gatherings were called off. Nearby countries marked the turn of the year with quieter or adjusted programs. What happened: - Auckland held a five-minute fireworks display from the Sky Tower, New Zealand's tallest structure. - Organizers used about 3,500 fireworks launched from different floors of the 240-meter tower. - Some smaller community events across the North Island were canceled because of rain and possible thunderstorms. - Other regional celebrations were more subdued, with some cities observing moments of remembrance. Summary: Auckland was the first major city to greet 2026 with a downtown fireworks show while weather led to cancellations of smaller North Island events. Other nearby places adjusted their programs for reasons including recent tragedies and weather, and many observed the night more quietly than in previous years.