New Zealand holds race relations day multicultural festival to showcase unity

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) — The seventh Race Relations Day Multicultural Festival 2024 was celebrated here on Friday evening.
New Zealand Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith acknowledged the festival’s inclusive and diverse character.
“New Zealand greatly celebrates the fact that Chinese have come and settled in the city and continue to make strong contributions, development in business, creating wealth and opportunities,” said Goldsmith.
Goldsmith and his Parliamentary colleagues have taken the opportunity of this festive occasion to extend their best wishes to the Chinese community for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival.
Chinese Consul General in Auckland Chen Shijie addressed the event by acknowledging the century-long history of Chinese settlement in New Zealand and the friendship between the two peoples.
“For over 100 years, the Chinese community in New Zealand has been a significant part of New Zealand society, witnessing the development of China-New Zealand relations and making their contributions across different sectors. As a result, Chinese cultural events have become popular in New Zealand, and a growing number of young New Zealanders are interested in learning Chinese,” said Chen.
This year marks the seventh Race Relations Day Multicultural Festival hosted by the Federation of the Chinese Association of New Zealand, constantly promoting multicultural New Zealand and bilateral relations between China and New Zealand.
Steven Wong, chairman of the Federation of the Chinese Association of New Zealand, said in his opening speech that New Zealand is a multicultural society where different ethnicities live in peace and harmony.
“Tonight’s celebration is to bring together people from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. May our next generations continue the friendship and unity of which we are a genuine part,” he said.
Pacific dancers in vibrant traditional attire started the festival, captivating the audience with their powerful and elegant movement. Performances at the festival ranged from Chinese Sichuan Opera “Bian Lian” (Mask Changing) to Scottish dances, from Iranian folk dance to South American Cumbia.
Guests of the day included members of parliament from parties across the political spectrum, Auckland city councilors, local board members and community leaders. ■