Auckland has welcomed the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display from the Sky Tower, as thousands gathered across the city to celebrate the arrival of 2026.
The celebrations began at 9pm with lasers and projections on the tower, featuring “special moments” submitted by the public — from milestone birthdays to first smiles. At midnight, the countdown gave way to a five-minute pyrotechnic show, firing 3500 shots in a 360-degree pattern from three levels of the tower.
Fireworks soared up to 80 metres above the structure, reaching a combined height of 320 metres. Organisers say more than 500kg of fireworks were used, making it the highest display in the Southern Hemisphere. The show followed six months of planning and design, involving 1.6 tonnes of equipment, 14 kilometres of cabling and over 1500 computer-controlled firing cues.
Those celebrating at home tuned in to TVNZ 1 and TVNZ 2 or streamed the countdown and fireworks on TVNZ+. SkyCity also shared the display online.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge joined the festivities with a dynamic light and sound show, synchronised to a MoreFM playlist of 2025’s top hits.
Crowds packed the waterfront and city centre, while elevated vantage points on Maungawhau/Mt Eden, Maungauika/North Head and Takarunga/Mt Victoria offered sweeping views of the fireworks and bridge display.