Celebrating Golden New Year

A man dubbed "the most famous New Zealander in China" with a special connection to the North Shore is being honoured at the Chinese & Korean New Year Festival in Northcote.The North Shore Chinese Society is hosting a photography exhibition to celebrate the life of Rewi Alley in conjunction with the Festival, co-sponsor Auckland Council and the Kaipatiki Local Board.

Board chair Lindsay Waugh addressed a multi-cultural gathering at the exhibition’s official opening at NorthART Community Arts Centre last Wednesday evening.
“The Chinese and Korean people play an increasingly important role in New Zealand society and we are proud to share celebrations to mark the lunar New Year, the Year of the Golden Rabbit.

“Rewi Alley was one of New Zealand’s finest sons and one of China's dearest friends. As Rewi was welcomed into Chinese society so have expatriate Chinese and Korean, new New Zealanders been welcomed into our communities, particularly here on the Shore,” Mrs Waugh said.

“Rewi Alley would be humbled yet proud to see such an exhibition honouring the past and auguring well for a future marked by cross-cultural understanding and harmony.

“Wonderful local facilities such as the NorthART centre are treasures for all Kiwis, new, young and old, to share their creative talent and cultures,” the Northcote resident said.

The Chinese & Korean New Year Festival is being held at Northcote Shopping Centre, Pearn Crescent in Northcote.Rewi Alley Reserve – a popular neighbourhood park with Chinese features - is in Trias Road in the Shore suburb of Totaravale.