Celebrations begin as Auckland leads the way into 2013

New Year celebrations have started with the traditional bang as the city of Auckland in New Zealand held the first spectacular event of 2013.

In Sydney, Australian superstar Kylie Minogue led the countdown.

Tons of fireworks and millions of spectators are expected to mark the coming of 2013 in capitals and major cities around the world.

Sydney’s revellers were treated to a show centred on the city’s iconic Harbour Bridge as the sky line light up.

With Hong Kong’s display expected to be the biggest ever in the city, most of the buoyant economies of the Asia-Pacific are prepared to party with enthusiasm despite the economic problems besetting the US and Europe.

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