2010 welcomed

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Celebrations in New Zealand and Australia kicked off 2010 with huge fireworks displays.

Revelers ushered out 2009 and welcomed 2010 under a blue moon -- the second full moon of a calendar month -- the first such event on New Year's Eve since 1990 and last until 2028.

Auckland, New Zealand, was the first major city to see the new year in, setting off about 1,500 pounds of fireworks at the top of its Sky Tower.

Officials in Sydney arranged a barrage of more than 3.5 tons of fireworks with its Harbour Bridge serving as a backdrop. About 1.5 million people were on hand to see the 12-minute display -- somewhat short considering the number of pyrotechnics -- as 2009 turned into 2010.

Traditional gatherings were set for Berlin, Paris and London, where fireworks set off by the London Eye will draw hundreds of thousands.

One of the largest New Year's celebrations in the United States takes place in New York's Times Square where more than 1 million people are expected Thursday.