(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners in New Zealand participated in five Christmas parades in four cities on North Island and South Island on November 29 and 30, 2025. The parades were held in Auckland, Orewa of Auckland, Rotorua, Dunedin, and Invercargill.

The most famous parade was the 92nd Auckland Farmers’ Christmas Parade, which was the largest, most historic, and most well-attended, this year drawing over 150,000 spectators. The main streets in the center of Auckland were closed to traffic on November 30 as crowds of people from Queen Street to Town Hall lined the sidewalks. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the festivities.

The Tian Guo Marching Band composed of Falun Dafa practitioners from New Zealand and Australia were greeted with warm applause. People took photos, complimented the band on their blue and white outfits, and said the band’s music blended perfectly with the event’s festive atmosphere. Eye-catching “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” banners decorated the float, which was followed by the dragon dance team, something the children really enjoyed.

Falun Dafa practitioners in the Auckland Farmers Parade on November 30

On November 29, the dragon dance team participated in the Rotorua parade in the morning, while the Tian Guo Marching Band and the dragon dance team participated in the Orewa Parade that afternoon.

Invercargill and Dunedin in South Island are tourist destinations known for their historic buildings and lovely scenery. The parade organizers in both cities invited practitioners to participate.

The Tian Guo Marching Band and dragon dance team in the Orewa Parade on November 29

The waist drum team participated in the parades in Invercargill and Dunedin in South Island on November 29 and 30.

Praise for the Tian Guo Marching Band

Isabella liked the practitioners’ float.

Isabella, a parade volunteer, commended the Tian Guo Marching Band: “They are the biggest band in the parade with over 100 members.”

She said she could feel the energy of the music and the professionalism of the participants. When she learned that the band members follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, Isabella said, “These values are great! Everyone should follow them. Our society needs them now.”

She said that, today, kindness, sincerity, and forbearance are especially important. “It's great that the band shares these values.”

When she saw the float with the “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” banners, she said, “I really like that. Those are positive values.”

People Praise Falun Dafa

Monica praised Falun Dafa.

When she saw the Tian Guo Marching band, Monica said, “They look cool and they sound amazing.”

When she learned that the band members practice Falun Dafa, she said she meditated: “I meditate when I need to calm down. I feel refreshed afterwards.”

About Falun Dafa, she said, “This is good. People should practice it, because it can benefit their bodies and minds.”

Kamryn

Kamryn, who worked security for the Auckland Farmers Christmas Parade, said, “My great-grandmother is Chinese, so I’m pleased to see Chinese people in this parade. The band outfits are gorgeous.”

He agreed with the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance and said, “These values are essential. I like them and think our society needs them.”

He was impressed with the Tian Guo Marching band: “I really like their music. You can feel their power, like a whole symphony orchestra.” He said seeing such a big band perform was a rare experience. “It’s amazing to see a band with so many members.”

Zoli likes the practitioners’ performance.

Zoli, a parade marshal, said he admired the Tian Guo Marching Band: “This band is spectacular. It is hard for so many people to play well together.” He said he used to play the drums, so he knew how difficult it was for such a large band to stay in sync. “Your performance is amazing.”

Glynis

Glynis liked the practitioners’ entry and said she knew about Falun Dafa because she saw Shen Yun years ago. She said, “That show is really great.

“I know about the persecution in China—it’s truly horrible. The CCP government has a strong desire to control people and persecutes different groups.”

She supported practitioners’ efforts to tell people about the persecution: “Raising awareness is the right thing to do. If you tell people the facts, they will understand and support you.”

She was happy that people were free to practice Falun Dafa in New Zealand. She smiled and said, “The government here won’t persecute you.”