Southeast Asian flavours to transform Wellington waterfront

Southeast Asian flavours to transform Wellington waterfront

Spicy flavours, animated puppets and entrancing gamelan music will enchant Wellingtonians as the ASEAN Southeast Asian Night Market returns in an expanded format.

For the first time, the popular biennial festival will be held over two nights, taking place at Wellington waterfront on Te Papa promenade and Odlins Plaza from 6pm to 10pm on Friday 13 March and from 4pm to 10pm on Saturday 14 March.

The ASEAN Southeast Asian Night Market, sponsored by Western Union, showcases the diverse cuisines and cultures of the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

2015 is the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and ASEAN.

Like the lively night markets found in abundance throughout Southeast Asia, Wellington’s version offers plenty of delicious food at 35 stalls, as well as colourful crafts and traditional entertainment.

Performers at this year’s festival include a Tookkatoon puppet troupe, which is visiting with the support of Thailand’s Department of Cultural Promotion. Dancers from Vietnam National Opera and Ballet company, travelling to New Zealand with the support of the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will also perform four mesmerising contemporary dances.

They will share the stage with local acts, including Indonesian percussion ensembles from the popular Gamelan Wellington group.

Asia New Zealand Foundation director of culture, Jennifer King, says the festival celebrates the contributions of the capital’s Southeast Asian communities. “New Zealand has strong historic ties to ASEAN and the region is of growing significance – both demographically as a source of immigrants and international students and in terms of trade.”

The ASEAN Southeast Asian Night Market is held every two years on the Wellington waterfront and is brought to you by Wellington City Council, the Asia New Zealand Foundation, ASEAN nations and their Wellington communities.

The Tookkatoon puppeteers will also hold a workshop at Pataka Art + Museum in Porirua at 2pm on Sunday March 14.

ASEAN Southeast Asian Night Market

Dates: Friday 13 March, 6pm – 10pm; Saturday 14 March, 4pm – 10pm

Venue: Wellington waterfront (Te Papa promenade and Odlins Plaza)

Entry is free

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