New Zealand was one of the first few countries in the world to bid goodbye first to 2022 and usher in the New Year 2023 with a spectacular fireworks display and light shows in Auckland, and other city centers across the country.
In Auckland- New Zealand’s largest city, large crowds gathered to witness Sky Tower’s New Year’s Eve’s fireworks display to welcome the new year, that was preceded by a 10-second countdown to midnight.
The celebrations were huge and it was the first time since the Covid-19 outbreak that Kiwis celebrated the occasion with no gathering restrictions. This was in spite of 32,010 new Covid cases reported for the last week period (as on Dec. 28).
Last year’s event at the Sky Tower were cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
As expected, the fireworks show was bigger and better than ever with 500kg – about 3500 individual flares let off over three levels of the Sky Tower in just five minutes.
Fine weather enabled people to get a fantastic view of the fireworks from boats, beaches, atop office buildings and other vantage points including the waterfront, Devonport, Mt Eden and Bayswater Marina.
The Sky Tower is New Zealand’s tallest man-made structure and the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest free-standing structure. It is one of New Zealand’s most recognisable landmarks
Vector Lights on Auckland Harbour Bridge were also a big drawcard for the crowds. The Auckland Museum, the Light Path, Queen St and other landmarks were also lit up in teal blue.
Similar reports of celebrations were received from Wellington, Christchurch, Napier, etc.
Tonga, Samoa, and Kiribati welcomed the New Year first, followed by Aotearoa New Zealand. Australia entered 2023 two hours later with a dazzling fireworks display on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Different countries welcome at different moments as the Sun rises in the east and the day comes late to the west due to Earth’s rotation, which causes a difference in the time zones.
– from NewsViews
