Xu Erwen, Chinese consul general in Auckland, speaks at the opening ceremony of the "2016 Happy Chinese New Year" celebration and "2016 Chinese New Year Festival & Market Day" held in Auckland, Jan 23, 2016. [Photo/Culturalink.gov.cn]

A combined kickoff for the "2016 Happy Chinese New Year" celebration and the "2016 Chinese New Year Festival & Market Day" was held in Auckland on Jan 23. Auckland Chinese Community Centre Inc and TV 33 (a Chinese digital television) jointly organized the event.

Xu Erwen, Chinese consul general in Auckland, Peseta Sam Lotu-liga, minister of Ethnic Communities of New Zealand, Len Brown, mayor of Auckland as well as officials and representatives from other institutions and media were present. About 30,000 people attended the event.