New Zealand welcomes the New Year with a fireworks show

Auckland: People in Auckland, New Zealand, were amongst the first in the world to welcome the New Year on Monday (January 1) with a display of fireworks held on the iconic Sky Tower.

A giant digital clock on the tower was counting down before multi-coloured fireworks exploded across the city skyline.

The display lit up about 3,000 fireworks in the sky and lasted more than five minutes, local media reported.

Preparations for the fireworks display started six months ago, said director and owner of Sky Tower, which this year celebrates its 20 years.