NZ Police Celebrates the Chinese New Year
New Zealand Police have always kept in touch and care for the public. Whether it is internal strategies or external operations, the police have always served the public with a attitude of mutual cooperation. On 11th February the police held a Chinese New Year’s celebration at their head quarter in Wellington, inviting many guests including Mr Wang Lutong; Chinese Ambassador in NZ and his wife, Pancha Nayaranan; Chairman of the New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Council, Venerable Abbess Manshin; Chaplain to NZ Royal Police Academy’s wing 261, members of BLIA and representatives from many religious, community, social and Chinese groups, in total over one hundred people in attendance. The meticulously planned festivities included demonstration of dumpling making, lion dance, Chinese folk music performances and making of New Year’s day banners, which all represented well wishes toward the guests for this New Year.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush explained that this celebration was held to show that the Chinese New Year is a part of New Zealand culture. It is hoped this sort of activities can increase trust and cooperation between public and the police.
Ambassador Wang praised NZ Police’s effort and promoting multiculturalism and affirmed the close cooperation between the Chinese embassy and the police. He explained that ancient Chinese philosophers uses the five elements of “metal, wood, water, fire and earth” to explain the formation of existence and the interrelated relationships between all things. He also mentioned that this year is the year of the fire monkey, where fire represents wisdom and enthusiasm, therefore wishing such good qualities onto everyone present.
Chairman Nayaranan expressed that 10 years ago there was rarely a police officer who can speak Chinese, but with the increase in Chinese immigration the number of Chinese officer have appropriately increased. This allowed much smoother communication between different parties. Today’s multicultural celebration of the Chinese New Year is a great achievement on the part of the police.