(Minghui.org) The very first Asian Pacific Festival in Whanganui, North Island, New Zealand was recently held on March 1, 2026. Festival organizer Tiana New, secretary of the Multicultural Council of Rangitīkei–Whanganui, said the goal was to build a platform for multicultural exchange within the community. Carl Bates, Member of Parliament (MP) for Whanganui, and Andrew Tripe, Mayor of Whanganui, attended the event.

Pushpa Prasad (at left), Chair of the Multicultural Council, Carl Bates MP (second from left), and Mayor Andrew Tripe (middle) present a certificate of appreciation to Falun Dafa practitioners for their participation in the inaugural Asian Pacific Festival in Whanganui.

Practitioners demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises during the Asian Pacific Festival.

People learn the Falun Dafa exercises.

The waist drum team performs at the festival.

Pushpa Prasad, Chair of the Multicultural Council, presents a certificate of appreciation to practitioners.

Practitioners perform the dragon dance.

Pushpa Prasad (second from right), Chair of the Multicultural Council, and Tiana New (first from right), secretary of the Multicultural Council, present a certificate of appreciation to the dragon dance team.

Practitioners perform dances at the festival.Practitioners perform on the guzheng (an ancient Chinese zither).

The event drew visitors from across the region, and showcased a lively mix of art displays, traditional dances, food stalls, and cultural activities from many ethnic communities. Performers from Japan, Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, India, Ukraine, and other groups took the stage, creating a vibrant showcase of multicultural traditions.

Falun Dafa practitioners contributed to the celebration with waist drum performances, a dragon dance, traditional dances, and the music of the guzheng (an ancient Chinese zither). Many attendees said they appreciated the practitioners’ participation.

Practitioners also had a booth at the festival to introduce Falun Dafa to the community. Many people paused to watch the exercise demonstrations and some learned the exercises from practitioners. The Art of Zhen Shan Ren Exhibition was also held in the auditorium and showed how Falun Dafa is practiced around the world. The artworks also helped raise awareness of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Dafa in China.

MP: Community Is Rich in Diverse Cultures

Carl Bates MP (second from right) and Mayor Andrew Tripe (first from left) had their photo taken with practitioners and presented them with a certificate of appreciation.

Carl Bates MP said the festival was exciting because of the great diversity of community members participating.

“It’s a fantastic festival,” said the MP. “There’s a great number of different communities and cultures here. It’s awesome to see communities from around Wanganui, but also from around New Zealand. Well done!”

He remarked on Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, “Truthfulness and compassion are great principles for us to embrace in our community. It’s great to see that today is a reflection of that.”

Mayor: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Will Make the World Better

Mayor Andrew Tripe said, “This is the first Asian Pacific Festival. I hope it continues every year. It’ll be bigger next year. It will become famous around New Zealand for being the best Asia Pacific Festival.”

Referring to Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, Mayor Tripe said, “If everyone was like you, always smiling and happy, the world would be a much better place. [Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance] makes the world a better place.”

When he heard that practitioners from Auckland participated in the event as volunteers, Mayor Tripe expressed his appreciation: “I want to say thank you to all the volunteers. I saw a number of people practicing Falun Dafa, and I think it’s great that it’s about compassion and peace and love. It’s what we need more of in the world.”

Mayor Tripe also said he hopes the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) stops persecuting Falun Dafa.

Maori Elder: We Are One Body in the Spiritual World

Maori Elder Jayson Herewini

Maori Elder Jayson Herewini shared his insights after viewing the Art of Zhen Shan Ren paintings, “Thank you very much for sharing Falun Dafa with me.”

He said he had a connection to China through his bloodline, “As part of that, listening to the hurt that the Falun Dafa family have gone through is very similar to the hurt that our Maori go through. You’re being persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party, CCP, and we were persecuted and hurt by a colonisation government.”

He mentioned the trauma of practitioners’ children and family. “I wish that children are no longer being hurt because that’s trauma that those poor young eyes will see for the rest of their lives. And we as Maori know what their trauma looks like. Exactly. And that trauma passes on down to my children, children’s children, and we want to break that.”

Multicultural Council Chair Thanks the Practitioners

Pushpa Prasad, Chair of the Multicultural Council of Rangitīkei–Whanganui, and a recipient of the Queen’s Service Medal of New Zealand, said she appreciated practitioners for their efforts during the event.

Ms. Prasad said that she and her husband watched Shen Yun and were impressed by Falun Dafa’s guiding principles—Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. She said she hopes these principles bring joy to the Whanganui community.

Understanding Brings Change

Carla Donson

Carla Donson, a recipient of the New Zealand Order of Merit, said it was delightful to see the community supporting the inaugural festival.

Referencing the Falun Dafa exercise demonstration and Dafa’s principles, she said, “I think we are at a stage in the world where we all need a bit more kindness. So, you know, anything that encourages people to be more accepting and mindful about other cultures and the way that other people do things I think is really important.”

Local People Learn About Falun Dafa and the CCP’s Persecution

Rose (left).

When local resident Rose learned about the persecution in China, she said the CCP creates fear so it can control people: “So why are they prosecuting those innocent groups? Because they’re [the CCP is] frightened. Why? Because you can’t control peace and calm.

“You’ve got to have people in turmoil, and then they’re looking for a leader to take them out of that turmoil. But if you’re peaceful and quiet, you don’t need a leader. You don’t need anything.”

People view the Art of Zhen Shan Ren Exhibition in the hall of the Asia-Pacific Festival.

Sharon (left) and her friend Judy view the paintings.

Festival-goer Sharon said, after viewing the paintings of the Art of Zhen Shan Ren, “Absolutely awesome paintings. Thought provoking, and actually really kick you in the guts because they’re so real.”

She was indignant about the persecution of Falun Dafa, and said that the CCP, “is taking away people’s freedom of choice, their free will, which in New Zealand, we’re used to having. Like, that one [painting] there that says, ‘Killed for belief.’ I mean that happens, sadly.”

Two Maori women said they felt refreshed after they viewed the art exhibition. They also tried the Falun Dafa exercises, and said they felt a strong energy surrounding their arms when they did the second exercise.

After learning about Falun Dafa’s principles, Tayla bought the book Zhuan Falun and said she wanted to learn more about the practice.