A hot, sunny day meant every patch of shade was in high demand as about 400 people gathered at Lawrence Chinese Camp for Sunday’s Chinese New Year celebrations.
The day featured feasting, as well as traditional Chinese performances by troupes from Dunedin and Christchurch.
Among the performances were the lion dance, dragon dance, Chinese fan dance, drumming, and professional musicians and dancers from the University of Canterbury.
A highlight of the day was the launch of a ground-breaking new element in the Aotearoa histories curriculum — new Chinese history lesson plans for years 1 to 8, developed by newly formed local charitable company Sun Gum Saan Ltd .
After a karakia and mihi whakatau (official welcome) from Te Runanga o Otakou upoko (head) Edward Ellison and Lawrence Chinese Camp Charitable Trust chairwoman Denise Ng, the crowd heard from Sun Gum Saan Ltd chairman Malcolm Wong, Taieri MP Ingrid Leary and People’s Republic of China Consulate-General education consul Shen Jian.
Mr Wong said the lessons, developed by historians Associate Prof James Beattie and Brendan Seal, were specific to Otago and focused on the early history and influence of the Chinese in Otago and Southland.
"We are very keen to help tamariki learn what it is to be Chinese, and for Chinese history to be taught as part of New Zealand history."
After a trial in a couple of local schools, it was hoped the lessons would be opened up to more schools around Matariki.
Ms Ng was delighted with how the day went.
"It was a really hot day, but it just added to the summery festive spirit.
"The performers were great, the food was good, the children’s games [were] fun and we had lots of people coming to Lawrence from out of town."
