The Pacific will be the first in the world to usher in the new year on Sunday, with fireworks shows and outdoor gatherings planned. Kiribati’s largest island, Kiritimati, home to about 5,000 people, is the first inhabited island to begin each new year, however no major events are planned. The Chatham Islands, part of New Zealand’s territory, will ring in 2024 15 minutes later (1015 GMT). The islands, about 800 kilometres east of New Zealand’s South Island, are home to some 700 people. As the first major international centre to welcome in the New Year, the landmarks of New Zealand’s largest cit…