New Delhi, Dec. 31 -- New Zealand's Auckland has become the first major city to welcome 2026 with thousands of revellers counting down to the New Year and cheering at colourful fireworks launched from New Zealand's tallest structure, the Sky Tower, and a spectacular downtown light show.

Countries in the South Pacific are the first to welcome the New Year, with midnight in New Zealand arriving 18 hours before the ball drops in New York's Times Square.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from MINT....