Lantern Festival shines a light on Auckland's many faces

By NATASHA HARRIS

The multicultural face of Auckland was on display at the weekend with thousands attending the annual Lantern Festival, a showcase of Chinese and other Asian cultures.

Arab women wearing veils and European tourists wearing sandals mingled with Chinese students wielding cameras, all entranced by the intricately designed lanterns.

The fifth annual Asia 2000 Lantern Festival marked the end of the Chinese New Year festivities and the beginning of the Year of the Monkey.

With so many cultures converging on the park, the festival was an opportunity for New Zealanders to gain more of an understanding of a culture often misunderstood.

Chinese people spoken to had different views on the treatment of Asians by New Zealanders.

"I feel so many Kiwis don't like Asians, especially the teenagers who sometimes are very rude," said Rui Shi, clutching a huge tray of stuffed mussels.

Ms Shi, a student who has lived in Auckland for two years, said she did not like the large number of Asians in the city.

"I came here to look for new cultures but everything here is similar to China."

Lina Hsiek, who has lived in Howick for eight years, called herself a New Zealander.

She did not feel there was tension between New Zealanders and Asians.

"Everyone's friendly here. I was told when I first got here that some people were impolite but I don't think that's got anything to do with race. I just think it's a little misunderstanding.

"This festival is an opportunity for us [Asians] to give back to the community.

"New Zealand is the good life - we have more choice and freedom here," the former Taiwan resident said.

English-born David Newman, who has lived in Auckland for nearly 40 years, said the festival was a great chance to show how other people lived. "When I got here, I was told to forget about home and take on the New Zealand way of life, so I like the idea of the Chinese keeping their culture alive," he said.

Ponsonby teenager Kristy Dixon thought more Chinese and other Asian festivals should be held to enhance cultural understanding.

"We see lots of Maori and Pacific Island festivals but not lots like this - we're a multicultural country and that's just the way New Zealand is."