For the first time since 1995, Valentine's Day will fall on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, or "Yuan Xiao Jie" - a day commonly also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day.

Auckland's Asian community, MPs, the Prime Minister and Auckland's Mayor descended on Northcote's town centre today to celebrate the Chinese and Korean New Year.

The Chinese New Year has become another event that adds a jovial and exotic cultural element to an already cheerful Auckland, writes Prof Manying Ip.

More than 200,000 Chinese and Koreans here joined over a billion others around the globe in welcoming the Year of the Horse overnight.

'I lead this double life because I still have to make a living.' Five women tell the Herald about their lives and challenges they face being Muslim in NZ.

A month-long series of festive events to welcome the Year of the Horse will follow the Prime Minister's dotting of the lion's eyes today.

She grew up in Whangarei as a ballerina and a vegetarian, but 23-year-old Emma Phillips is back as a Mandarin-speaking acrobat who loves eating duck heads.

NZ's population has passed the 4.5 million mark, according to Statistics NZ - meet the baby that pushed us over that milestone.

Siobhan Keogh was a fan of Grand Theft Auto, but the near-pornographic portrayal of women has put her off completely.

The Labour Party conference in Christchurch this weekend looks set to approve a remit that will require its list to "fairly represent" gays and lesbians among candidates.

Sometimes, changes in attitude are apparent not so much because of what is being said as what is not being said.

South Asian Muslims in Auckland report feeling secure, but some say they'd received "prejudicial treatment" in their dealings with police.

As Auckland approaches a statistical high of 200 different cultures in its workforce, it is becoming increasingly important for businesses to effectively manage employee diversity.

Kiwis are more polite about their racism than people in other parts of the world, says university lecturer Camille Nakhid.

Martin Luther King she is not, but the new Race Relations Commissioner adopted some of the American civil rights legend's soaring rhetoric yesterday.

In the months ahead Aucklanders can sample the city's vibrant cultures, writes Alexia Santamaria.

A senior Grey Power official has complained about the planned increase in immigrants in Auckland - prompting claims that his submission is racist.

Around 100,000 people are expected at Western Springs Lakeside Park in Auckland today for the annual Pasifika festival.

Island drums and sounds from the Pacific will be joined by those from traditional island choirs and church bands at this year's Pasifika Festival.

A women's entrepreneurs week will be kicked off at an event in Auckland on Thursday.

When it comes to preparing meat for barbecue no one does it better than the Koreans, believes chef Yeon Yi Go.

Laksa is one of the hottest-selling items on the menu of Mamak Malaysian Cafe, and is popular with Asians and non-Asians alike, says chef and cafe co-owner Charlotte Ng.