As the Year of the Monkey dawns, Auckland City District Asian Liaison Officer Jessica Phuang considers the significance of the Lunar New Year Festival for Asian New Zealanders.
The Year of the Fire Monkey has arrived! Monday 8 February 2016 was the first day of the Lunar New Year, which is observed not only by Chinese people but also by other Asian ethnic groups, such as Koreans and Vietnamese.
We celebrate for 15 days, with families gathering to renew our bond and exchange good wishes. In China millions travel to join their families for the reunion dinner. This month there were reports of 176,000 people stranded at a railway station in Guangzhou by delayed trains. That’s more than the population of Hamilton.
The reunion dinner, held on New Year’s Eve, is one occasion every Chinese person looks forward to as they return home to meet grandparents, parents, uncles, aunties, cousins, nephews and nieces.
Apart from the big feast we exchange mandarin oranges, signifying gold. The young ones get red packets with money inside, offering them good wishes throughout the year.
In New Zealand, many people do not have the luxury of gathering the entire family. However, Chinese people will do anything to preserve this tradition.
They gather friends to their home for a reunion dinner - I have invited friends and colleagues to my house. At the same time, as Asian Liaison Officer, I am humbled to be invited to many events – this year I have been invited to 13 events between 23 January and 21 February. We love gathering together.
At these celebrations it gives me immense joy to see Asian communities are finding their path to settling in and recognising New Zealand as their home. It is touching to see that, even when people don’t speak good English, they are committed to contributing to New Zealand society while ensuring our Chinese traditions, morals and cultures are preserved.
One way they do this is by working with New Zealand Police to build a safer society, help those in need and strive to harmonise with each other. I applaud this.
So from now until 22 February, whenever you meet any Chinese, Korean or Vietnamese people, offer them a good wish.
I take this opportunity to wish all those who celebrate the Lunar New Year a very safe and healthy Year of the Monkey!