Kiribati Island became the first country in the world to celebrate the dawn of the new year 2022. Kiribati consists of 32 islands and a small coral island. Next, New Zealand will have a 2022 New Year.

It is situated in the western part of the Pacific Ocean.

The candidate for the presidency in 1994 promised  citizens of Kiribati that if he wins the elections, he will ensure that the citizens of Kiribati will celebrate the New Year first.

After the elections, he kept his promise and the country is divided into three time zones and the easternmost part of the country celebrates first in the world.