As 2026 began, New Zealand and Australia led global celebrations with dazzling fireworks displays, despite challenging weather and recent tragedy. Auckland was the first major city to mark the new year, lighting up the sky with a five-minute show from the Sky Tower, while some smaller events were cancelled due to rain forecasts. In Sydney, heightened security accompanied the iconic waterfront festivities, following a recent mass shooting at Bondi Beach that cast a sombre tone over the night. Organisers honoured the victims with a minute's silence and solidarity gestures, as officials urged the public to stand united and not let fear disrupt their way of life. Both cities sent a message of resilience and hope as they welcomed 2026.