Auckland has become the first major city to see in 2017...
2017 is here... in some parts of the world! New Zealand and the Pacific Islands become the first to welcome the New Year with firework spectaculars
Tonga, Samoa and Kiribati are among the first countries in the world to see in 2017
Auckland in New Zealand rang in the New Year at 11am GMT
At 1pm GMT, Sydney will begin its iconic firework display paying homage to Prince and David Bowie
Terror threats mean many celebrations around the world will have increased security
Beijing and Shanghai residents will be in a relative state of security lockdown
US islands Baker Island and Howland Island will be the last places to enter 2017
By Sarah Dean For Mailonline
31 December 2016
As 2016 draws to a close, revellers around the world are bidding a weary adieu to a year filled with political surprises, prolonged conflicts and deaths of legendary celebrities.
Tonga and Samoa in the Polynesian Triangle and Kiribati in the Central Pacific were among the first places in the world to see in 2017.
They entered the New Year at 10am GMT, celebrating with traditional dancing and flame throwing.
Auckland, in New Zealand, followed ringing in the New Year at 11am GMT. 1100lbs of fireworks were blasted from the city's Sky Tower in just five minutes with Max Key, the son of former Prime Minister John Key, performing a DJ set.
Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, who is in Auckland, tweeted: 'Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year from Auckland! Excited to see what 2017 has in store.'
The last place on earth to observe 2017 will be remote and uninhabited US islands, including Baker Island and Howland Island.
By 1pm GMT, Australia will be entering the New Year.
Auckland, in New Zealand, was the first major city to ring in 2017. At 11am GMT, 1100lbs of fireworks were blasted from the city's Sky Tower in just five minutes
The pyrotechnic display included 1100lbs of fireworks, 1 ton of equipment and 6 miles of wire
Different coloured fireworks shot out from the Sky Tower in many directions as bright lights lit up the building
As the fireworks went off in Auckland, Max Key, the son of former Prime Minister John Key, performed a DJ set
Crowds are pictured gathered to watch the Sky Tower firework display during New Year's Eve celebrations in Auckland
After a year that saw the deaths of a seemingly endless parade of entertainers, Sydney will honour some of the most beloved.
The city's famed fireworks display over the harbour will pay homage to Prince and David Bowie, and will be set to a music medley inspired by the late singers.
'We are hoping to make it rain purple this year for the first time, not only off the barges, but also off the Sydney Harbour Bridge,' fireworks director Fortunato Forti said, referencing Prince's hit 'Purple Rain.'
The 7 tons of fireworks launched from barges on the harbour will also include a 'Willy Wonka moment' in tribute to the late actor Gene Wilder's most famous role, fireworks co-producer Catherine Flanagan said.
Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House during the 9pm show on New Year's Eve
An early fireworks display was held for children at 9pm Sydney time ahead of the big event at midnight
When will countries around the world enter 2017?
Saturday 10:00 GMT - Tonga, Samoa and Christmas Island, Kiribati
Saturday 11:00 GMT - New Zealand
Saturday 13:00 GMT - Much of Australia
Saturday 15:00 GMT - Japan, South Korea, some parts of Russia and Indonesia
Saturday 18:30 GMT - India and Sri Lanka
Saturday 20:00 GMT - Azerbaijan and eight other countries including Armenia, UAE, Oman and the Seychelles
Saturday 22:00 GMT - Greece and 30 other countries, including South Africa, Syria, Finland and Latvia
Saturday 23:00 GMT - Germany and 43 other countries, including Norway, France, Italy and Tunisia
Sunday 00:00 GMT - UK and 26 other countries, including Morocco, Ghana and Ireland
Sunday 04:00 GMT - Small regions of Canada and 29 other countries including Bolivia, Venezuela and Barbados
Sunday 06:00 GMT - Large parts of the U.S and Central America
Sunday 09:00 GMT - Alaska/USA and regions of French Polynesia
Sunday 12:00 GMT - Much of US Minor Outlying Islands
Source: Timeanddate.com
Read more: 2017 is here... in some parts of the world! New Zealand and the Pacific Islands become the first to welcome the New Year with firework spectaculars | Daily Mail Online
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2017 is here... in some parts of the world! New Zealand and the Pacific Islands become the first to welcome the New Year with firework spectaculars
Tonga, Samoa and Kiribati are among the first countries in the world to see in 2017
Auckland in New Zealand rang in the New Year at 11am GMT
At 1pm GMT, Sydney will begin its iconic firework display paying homage to Prince and David Bowie
Terror threats mean many celebrations around the world will have increased security
Beijing and Shanghai residents will be in a relative state of security lockdown
US islands Baker Island and Howland Island will be the last places to enter 2017
By Sarah Dean For Mailonline
31 December 2016
As 2016 draws to a close, revellers around the world are bidding a weary adieu to a year filled with political surprises, prolonged conflicts and deaths of legendary celebrities.
Tonga and Samoa in the Polynesian Triangle and Kiribati in the Central Pacific were among the first places in the world to see in 2017.
They entered the New Year at 10am GMT, celebrating with traditional dancing and flame throwing.
Auckland, in New Zealand, followed ringing in the New Year at 11am GMT. 1100lbs of fireworks were blasted from the city's Sky Tower in just five minutes with Max Key, the son of former Prime Minister John Key, performing a DJ set.
Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, who is in Auckland, tweeted: 'Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year from Auckland! Excited to see what 2017 has in store.'
The last place on earth to observe 2017 will be remote and uninhabited US islands, including Baker Island and Howland Island.
By 1pm GMT, Australia will be entering the New Year.
Auckland, in New Zealand, was the first major city to ring in 2017. At 11am GMT, 1100lbs of fireworks were blasted from the city's Sky Tower in just five minutes
The pyrotechnic display included 1100lbs of fireworks, 1 ton of equipment and 6 miles of wire
Different coloured fireworks shot out from the Sky Tower in many directions as bright lights lit up the building
As the fireworks went off in Auckland, Max Key, the son of former Prime Minister John Key, performed a DJ set
Crowds are pictured gathered to watch the Sky Tower firework display during New Year's Eve celebrations in Auckland
After a year that saw the deaths of a seemingly endless parade of entertainers, Sydney will honour some of the most beloved.
The city's famed fireworks display over the harbour will pay homage to Prince and David Bowie, and will be set to a music medley inspired by the late singers.
'We are hoping to make it rain purple this year for the first time, not only off the barges, but also off the Sydney Harbour Bridge,' fireworks director Fortunato Forti said, referencing Prince's hit 'Purple Rain.'
The 7 tons of fireworks launched from barges on the harbour will also include a 'Willy Wonka moment' in tribute to the late actor Gene Wilder's most famous role, fireworks co-producer Catherine Flanagan said.
Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House during the 9pm show on New Year's Eve
An early fireworks display was held for children at 9pm Sydney time ahead of the big event at midnight
When will countries around the world enter 2017?
Saturday 10:00 GMT - Tonga, Samoa and Christmas Island, Kiribati
Saturday 11:00 GMT - New Zealand
Saturday 13:00 GMT - Much of Australia
Saturday 15:00 GMT - Japan, South Korea, some parts of Russia and Indonesia
Saturday 18:30 GMT - India and Sri Lanka
Saturday 20:00 GMT - Azerbaijan and eight other countries including Armenia, UAE, Oman and the Seychelles
Saturday 22:00 GMT - Greece and 30 other countries, including South Africa, Syria, Finland and Latvia
Saturday 23:00 GMT - Germany and 43 other countries, including Norway, France, Italy and Tunisia
Sunday 00:00 GMT - UK and 26 other countries, including Morocco, Ghana and Ireland
Sunday 04:00 GMT - Small regions of Canada and 29 other countries including Bolivia, Venezuela and Barbados
Sunday 06:00 GMT - Large parts of the U.S and Central America
Sunday 09:00 GMT - Alaska/USA and regions of French Polynesia
Sunday 12:00 GMT - Much of US Minor Outlying Islands
Source: Timeanddate.com
Read more: 2017 is here... in some parts of the world! New Zealand and the Pacific Islands become the first to welcome the New Year with firework spectaculars | Daily Mail Online
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