Tonga, Samoa, and Kiribati/Christmas Island ushered in the new year 2022. The small Pacific Island nations are the first country or countries in the world to mark New Year. They rang in the new year at 10am GMT, sparking off a day’s worth of celebrations around the globe.

New Zealand rang in 2022 at around 10.15am GMT with a lightshow and fireworks display. The Auckland Harbour Bridge, Sky Tower and Auckland War Memorial Museum were lit up from 9pm. New Zealand's Auckland becomes the first city to welcome New Year 2022. Fireworks lit up the night sky in Auckland.

Australia is known for kicking off the New Year in spectacular fashion with huge fireworks display over Sydney. They’ll also be among the first countries to see in 2022, although the time varies according to where one is in Australia. Sydney and Melbourne will be celebrating New Year at 1pm GMT.

American Samoa, just 101 miles from the Pacific Island Samoa but in an entirely different time zone, must wait a full day before seeing in 2022.