The New Year is being marked in style across the world as Manchester prepares for its own party tonight to bring in 2023. More than one million people were expected to gather on the waterfront in Sydney, Australia for a spectacular firework display.
About 9,000 fireworks were set off from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the nearby Opera House as 2023 began down under at 1pm, UK time. There was a similarly spectacular pyrotechnics display in Auckland, New Zealand, where the New Year started at 11am UK time.
But the first country to experience 2023 was the Pacific nation of Kiribati, where the New Year began at 10am. Manchester is holding its annual New Year's Eve celebration tonight, but fireworks will not feature in the event.
