WELLINGTON, March 29 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand and Fiji will be the first countries to take part in Earth Hour, an event aimed at reducing emissions that contribute to climate change, local media reported on Saturday.

    A total of 24 cities around the world are officially involved, although people from 370 different towns and cities have registered to be a part of the event.

    New Zealand's third largest city of Christchurch and Fiji's capital of Suva will kick off the event at 8:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, with 22 other official cities joining in as their time zones reach 8:00 p.m..

    Those taking part are asked to turn off lights and switch unnecessary appliances off at the wall, to raise awareness about climate change.

    Christchurch is New Zealand's official Earth Hour city although many people in other centers have registered to take part.

    In New Zealand's largest city of Auckland, the five star Langham Hotel will swap chandeliers for 3,000 candles in its lobby.The Sky Tower lights will be turned off between 8:00 p.m. (07:00 GMT Saturday) and 9:00 p.m..

    While Earth Hour's short-term goal is a 5 percent drop in power use for the hour, its main message is to show that joining the ongoing fight against climate change does not need to be difficult.

    The idea is promoted by the Worldwide Fund for Nature. Its climate change manager Dairne Poole said Earth Hour is symbolic but climate change is very real.

    Earth Hour executive director Andy Ridley said the campaign aims to show how small actions can make a difference to global warming.

    The first Earth Hour was in Sydney last year.

    About 2 million residents switched off their lights and major landmarks including the Sydney Opera House were darkened, reducing power consumption by 10 percent.