The New Zealand Korean Education Centre (Director Jung Sung Hoon) announced on the 24th that New Zealand will hold its first Korean Lunar New Year celebration. This milestone event, marking the growing influence of Korean culture, will take place on February 1 and 8 in Auckland, in collaboration with the Auckland City Council and the Chinese community group ACET.

Previously, Lunar New Year celebrations in New Zealand were predominantly focused on China’s Chunje (Spring Festival), reflecting the significant presence of the Chinese community, which makes up 36% of Asian immigrants and 5% of the country’s population. However, the global popularity of K-pop and Korean culture has elevated Korea’s profile in New Zealand, leading Auckland City to propose a joint celebration with the Korean community.

Titled Seollal-Chun Lunar New Year 2025, the festival’s official name incorporates the Korean term Seollal in recognition of Korea’s rich cultural traditions. This marks a significant shift in the inclusivity and recognition of diverse Asian cultures in New Zealand’s mainstream celebrations.

The festivities, held over two days in Auckland, will feature performances by students from Auckland Korean School and Hanminjok Korean Language School, who will present Samulnori (Korean traditional percussion). Students from Gwangju National University of Education will showcase traditional Korean dances such as the fan dance, gayageum (zither) performances, and a taekwondo demonstration. The event will also include vibrant K-pop performances to engage younger audiences.

Cultural experience booths will allow visitors to sample Korean traditional foods such as tteokguk (rice cake soup), try on hanbok (traditional clothing), explore traditional tea, calligraphy, and paper folding, and learn about Korean ancestral rituals.

“This is an excellent opportunity to share that Lunar New Year, or Seollal, is a deeply significant Korean tradition,” said Jung Sung Hoon, Director of the Korean Education Centre. “We’ve planned a wide range of programs that include not just performances and food but also interactive cultural experiences.”

The celebration signifies the growing recognition of Korean culture in New Zealand and highlights how Hallyu (Korean Wave) has fostered cross-cultural connections globally. It is anticipated that the festival will further cement Korean culture as an integral part of New Zealand’s multicultural society.

Sayart / Joy, nunimbos@gmail.com