New Year celebrations: Sydney, Auckland, Tokyo among cities first to ring in 2024 with fireworks; see pictures

Auckland has become the first major city to ring in 2024, with thousands cheering a fireworks display sprouting from New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower, and a downtown light show. (Source: AP)

At midnight, the 1.7 million-person metropolis of Auckland saw the light rain that had been falling all day clear as predicted, and then the countdown started on a lighted digital display at the summit of the 328-meter (1,076-foot) communications and observation tower. (Image Source: ANI)

As the clock struck midnight in Australia’s largest city, tons of explosives erupted in a 12-minute display that focused on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. More than 1 million people, a number equivalent to one in five of the city’s residents, watched from the shore and from boats in the harbour. (Image: AP)

“It’s total madness,” said German tourist Janna Thomas, who had waited in line since 7:30 a.m. to secure a prime waterfront location in the Sydney Botanic Garden. “It’s not so easy to find a good place to sit, but the view is incredible.” (Image: AP)

All throughout Sydney, more police than ever were on duty. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been taking place on the waterfront since the Sydney Opera House's sails were lighted up in Israeli flag colours. (Image: AFP)

People queue to pray at Zojoji Buddhist temple on New Year's Eve in Tokyo. (Image: AP). With agency inputs