Summary
The new year starts in the Pacific, and New Zealand is the first major country to see it on New Year’s Eve 2026 – Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in Kiribati, on UTC+14, reaches midnight first, followed 15 minutes later by the Chatham Islands (part of New Zealand), then by mainland New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa and Tokelau an hour after Kiribati; Auckland is the first major city to ring in the year, about 18 hours before New York
When it is midnight in Auckland, it is only 10pm in Sydney – Sydney’s midnight comes two hours later, so Australians can watch New Zealand’s fireworks on the evening of 31 December and then see their own city’s display at midnight; all New Zealand cities share Auckland’s time, Melbourne shares Sydney’s, Adelaide is half an hour later, Brisbane and the Gold Coast an hour later and Perth three hours later
Families in the Philippines, India, Nepal and Vietnam reach midnight in the early hours of 1 January Sydney time – the Philippines hits midnight at 3am in Sydney and 5am in Auckland, India at 5:30am and 7:30am, which matters for calls and messages; the same time gaps apply on Christmas Eve, when families reach 25 December
The order of the new year
The new year follows the International Date Line. Here is when midnight on 31 December 2026 arrives around the Pacific and beyond, shown in Sydney time (AEDT) and Auckland time (NZDT) for New Year’s Eve 2026.
| Place | Time zone | Midnight arrives at (Sydney time) | Midnight arrives at (Auckland time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiritimati (Kiribati) | UTC+14 | 9:00pm, 31 Dec | 11:00pm, 31 Dec |
| Chatham Islands (New Zealand) | UTC+13:45 | 9:15pm, 31 Dec | 11:15pm, 31 Dec |
| Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch | UTC+13 | 10:00pm, 31 Dec | Midnight |
| Tonga and Samoa | UTC+13 | 10:00pm, 31 Dec | Midnight |
| Fiji | UTC+12 | 11:00pm, 31 Dec | 1:00am, 1 Jan |
| Sydney and Melbourne | UTC+11 | Midnight | 2:00am, 1 Jan |
| Adelaide | UTC+10:30 | 12:30am, 1 Jan | 2:30am, 1 Jan |
| Brisbane and Gold Coast | UTC+10 | 1:00am, 1 Jan | 3:00am, 1 Jan |
| Perth | UTC+8 | 3:00am, 1 Jan | 5:00am, 1 Jan |
A few things to know:
- New Zealand is first among major countries, but not first overall. Kiritimati, an island in Kiribati, is the first inhabited place to reach the new year. Kiribati moved the Line Islands to UTC+14 in 1995 to put its islands on the same calendar day.
- Part of New Zealand does beat the mainland. The Chatham Islands, which belong to New Zealand, are 45 minutes ahead of Auckland during daylight saving time.
- The year takes about 26 hours to travel the globe. The last place to reach the new year is Baker Island, an uninhabited US territory on UTC-12. The last inhabited places are American Samoa and Niue on UTC-11, about 25 hours after Kiritimati.
Where to see the fireworks in New Zealand and Australia
Here is how the main cities compare. Items marked “last year” haven’t been confirmed for 2026.
| City | Early or family fireworks | Midnight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Lights and projections on the Sky Tower from 9pm (last year) | Sky Tower fireworks | 2026 details not yet announced |
| Wellington | Kids’ countdown and a short burst of fireworks at 9:30pm | Fireworks display | Whairepo Lagoon, free, 8pm to midnight |
| Christchurch | Kids’ countdown with confetti cannons at 7pm (last year) | Fireworks display (last year) | North Hagley Park, free |
| Sydney | Calling Country family fireworks at 9pm | Main display from the Harbour Bridge and Opera House | Official 2026 program |
| Melbourne | Family fireworks at 9:30pm in the free Celebration Zones | “Midnight Moment” of rooftop fireworks and lasers | City of Melbourne program |
| Gold Coast | Family fireworks at several locations between about 8pm and 9pm (last year) | Midnight displays at Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Coolangatta (last year) | Check the City of Gold Coast for 2026 |
New Zealand
Auckland
Auckland’s Sky Tower display is among the most widely broadcast midnight moments in the world. This year’s details haven’t been announced, so here is what happened last year (SkyCity, AP, RNZ):
- Lasers and projections on the Sky Tower from 9pm, including a selection of public photo memories, led into the midnight countdown.
- The midnight display lasted about five minutes, launched from three firing levels of the 240-metre Sky Tower, with around 3,500 shots and more than 500 kilograms of fireworks.
- SkyCity describes it as the highest fireworks display in the Southern Hemisphere.
- The Auckland Harbour Bridge was lit in sync with the display, and TVNZ was due to broadcast the countdown live.
- SkyCity has a plan to delay the fireworks if wind speeds exceed its safety limits.
Wellington
The City Council’s 2026 program is confirmed for Thursday 31 December, from 8pm to midnight at Whairepo Lagoon by Frank Kitts Park. It is free.
| Time | What |
|---|---|
| 8pm | Live music begins |
| 9:30pm | Kids’ countdown and a short burst of fireworks |
| 10pm | Live music continues |
| Midnight | Countdown to 2027 and fireworks display |
Christchurch
Christchurch’s celebration is held in North Hagley Park. Last year it was free and alcohol-free, with a kids’ countdown with confetti cannons at 7pm, live music headlined by Kora, and an “epic” fireworks display at midnight. Entry closed at 11:45pm. Check Christchurch City Council for this year’s confirmed plans.
Australia
Sydney
Sydney’s 2026 program is confirmed by the City of Sydney.
| Time | What |
|---|---|
| 7:30pm | Smoking ceremony |
| 8:30pm | Harbour Bridge pylon projections and lighting |
| 8:45pm | Welcome to Country |
| 9pm | Family fireworks (“Calling Country”) |
| Around 9:15pm | Sydney Harbour Lights parade (the official program places it between the two shows) |
| Midnight | Main fireworks display, launched from the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and other landmarks |
Darling Harbour also holds separate fireworks at 9pm and midnight over Cockle Bay. See the official Sydney New Year’s Eve site for vantage points and tickets.
Melbourne
The City of Melbourne’s 2026 event runs from 7pm to 1am on Thursday 31 December, with two fireworks shows:
- 9:30pm: family-friendly fireworks, with free Celebration Zones for viewing.
- Midnight: the “Midnight Moment”, a rooftop fireworks and laser display.
Last year’s display was fired from 27 rooftops across the city. The free Celebration Zones were at Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens, Kings Domain and Docklands.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast spreads its fireworks along the coast rather than in one place. Times varied by location last year, and sources differ, so check the City of Gold Coast for confirmed 2026 times. Last year:
- Surfers Paradise Beach and Broadbeach (Kurrawa Park) held shows at 8pm and midnight.
- Coolangatta held shows at 9pm and midnight.
- Family fireworks were also held at other locations, including Broadwater Parklands, Coomera, Varsity Lakes and Paradise Point, mostly between 8pm and 9pm.
Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth
These cities also hold early family shows and a midnight display. Times below are from last year and should be confirmed for 2026.
- Brisbane: Fireworks along the Brisbane River at South Bank at 7:45pm and midnight, with drone shows at 9pm and 11pm.
- Adelaide: Fireworks at Elder Park on the River Torrens at 9pm and midnight, with family fireworks at Glenelg and Brighton at 9:30pm and a midnight display at Glenelg.
- Perth: Elizabeth Quay is listed at 8:30pm and midnight in one recent fireworks guide, so confirm it with the venue.
When your family rings in the new year
If your family is in the Philippines, India, Nepal or elsewhere, here is when they reach midnight, in your time.
| Where your family is | Midnight arrives at (Sydney time) | Midnight arrives at (Auckland time) |
|---|---|---|
| Fiji | 11:00pm, 31 Dec | 1:00am, 1 Jan |
| Philippines (Manila) | 3:00am, 1 Jan | 5:00am, 1 Jan |
| Vietnam | 4:00am, 1 Jan | 6:00am, 1 Jan |
| Bhutan | 5:00am, 1 Jan | 7:00am, 1 Jan |
| Nepal | 5:15am, 1 Jan | 7:15am, 1 Jan |
| India and Sri Lanka | 5:30am, 1 Jan | 7:30am, 1 Jan |
| United Kingdom | 11:00am, 1 Jan | 1:00pm, 1 Jan |
| US East Coast (New York) | 4:00pm, 1 Jan | 6:00pm, 1 Jan |
| Hawaii | 9:00pm, 1 Jan | 11:00pm, 1 Jan |
A tip: if you want to call or message at your family’s midnight, set an alarm, because it will be the early hours of 1 January for you in Australia and New Zealand.
Christmas 2026 by time zone
Christmas Day 2026 falls on Friday 25 December. The same time gaps apply on Christmas Eve, because the time zones do not change between 24 and 31 December:
- Kiritimati, also known as Christmas Island, reaches 25 December first.
- Auckland reaches Christmas Day two hours before Sydney. Midnight at the start of Christmas Day in Auckland is 10pm on Thursday 24 December in Sydney.
- The Philippines reaches Christmas Day at 3am Sydney time, and India at 5:30am Sydney time.
Public holidays over Christmas and New Year
New Zealand
- Christmas Day: Friday 25 December
- Boxing Day (Saturday 26 December): observed on Monday 28 December
- New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January 2027
- Day after New Year’s Day (Saturday 2 January): observed on Monday 4 January
Australia
- Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December, and Boxing Day on Saturday 26 December. Many states also observe Monday 28 December as a substitute holiday, and New Year’s Day is Friday 1 January 2027. Holidays vary by state, so check your state’s list.
Sending money home for the festive season
Public holidays in both countries can add time to transfers.
- Allow extra time. OrbitRemit’s Help Centre gives settlement guidance in working days, counted after your payment reaches OrbitRemit, so public holidays in Australia, New Zealand and the destination can add to it.
- Check the estimate shown in your account before you confirm. Delivery estimates are not guarantees.
- Be ready early. Complete identity verification and save your recipient’s details before the busy period. See our guide to sending money in an emergency.
- Compare the total received, not just the fee. The exchange rate and the exact destination amount are shown before you confirm.
OrbitRemit makes its margin on the exchange rate. OrbitRemit does not provide advice on exchange rate timing.
FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Which country celebrates the new year first?
Kiribati. Kiritimati (Christmas Island), on UTC+14, reaches midnight first, about an hour before mainland New Zealand.
Is New Zealand the first country to celebrate the new year?
New Zealand is among the first, and Auckland is the first major city. Kiritimati in Kiribati is earlier, and the Chatham Islands, part of New Zealand, reach midnight 45 minutes before the mainland.
What time is midnight in New Zealand in Sydney time?
When it is midnight in Auckland, it is 10pm in Sydney during daylight saving time.
Do Wellington and Christchurch celebrate at the same time as Auckland?
Yes. All of mainland New Zealand shares the same time zone, so midnight arrives at the same moment in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
What time is midnight in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in Sydney time?
Melbourne shares Sydney’s midnight. Adelaide reaches midnight at 12:30am Sydney time, Brisbane and the Gold Coast at 1am, and Perth at 3am.
What time are the Melbourne and Wellington fireworks?
Melbourne has family fireworks at 9:30pm and a “Midnight Moment” of rooftop fireworks and lasers. Wellington has a kids’ countdown and short fireworks at 9:30pm and a fireworks display at midnight, at Whairepo Lagoon.
When does the new year reach Sydney?
Two hours after Auckland. Sydney’s midnight fireworks are on Thursday 31 December 2026, with family fireworks at 9pm.
Where does the new year arrive last?
Baker Island, an uninhabited US territory on UTC-12, about 26 hours after Kiritimati. The last inhabited places are American Samoa and Niue.
When is midnight in the Philippines or India in my time?
In the Philippines, midnight arrives at 3am Sydney time and 5am Auckland time. In India, it arrives at 5:30am Sydney time and 7:30am Auckland time.
Will public holidays delay my transfer?
They can. Settlement guidance is given in working days, so holidays in Australia, New Zealand or the destination can add time. Check the estimate in your account.
Important information
This article is general information only. Event details, times and public holidays can change, so check official sources for this year’s confirmed plans. Time conversions assume daylight saving time in Sydney (UTC+11) and Auckland (UTC+13) on 31 December. Transfer times vary by destination and payment method, and delivery estimates are not guarantees. OrbitRemit does not provide advice on exchange rate timing, and its exchange rate includes a margin, with the rate and destination amount shown before you confirm each transfer.
Related guides
Last updated 10 November 2026.
Sources: SkyCity Entertainment Group, Sky Tower fireworks and projections to lead New Zealand into 2026 | Associated Press, Auckland rings in 2026 as the first major city | RNZ, Revellers ring in the new year and NZ’s best public events to celebrate the new year | OurAuckland, New Year’s Eve celebrations in central Auckland | NSW Government, Sydney Harbour New Year’s Eve 2026 | City of Sydney media release, Preparing for the biggest night of the year (September 2026) | Wellington City Council, New Year’s Eve 2026 | City of Melbourne and Victorian Government, New Year’s Eve 2026 and Plan ahead and celebrate safely (December 2025) | The New Daily and WHO, Australian New Year’s Eve fireworks (December 2025) | Gold Coast and Perth fireworks guides (2025-26) | Wikipedia, International Date Line and Millennium celebrations | timesanddates.com, New Year’s Eve around the world | OrbitRemit Help Centre, settlement guidance by destination
