New Year’s Eve celebrations kick off as people all over the world usher in 2018

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NEW Zealand has kicked of New Year celebrations, lighting up the sky with bright fireworks as they ring in 2018.

Excited crowds have started to gather across the world to celebrate, with the Southern Hemisphere the first to greet the new year.

Locals celebrating on the eve of New year 2018 New Year celebrations, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

A spectator laughs as she waits for the annual new year fireworks as part of celebrations on Sydney Harbour

New Zealand is one of the first to welcome 2018

The city of Auckland put on a eye-catching fireworks display

Three friends pose in Amritsar, India, to welcome in 2018

Millions of people were expected to flock to the harbour for the fireworks

A Balinese girl adjusts her headdress before taking part in a traditional dance during in a cultural parade at a festival to mark the New Year in Denpasar

Balinese take part in a cultural parade during a festival

Some spectators have made the most of the celebratory mood with hats