(Minghui.org) To protest the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong that began 27 years ago this month, practitioners gathered at Commercial Bay in Auckland on July 18, 2026, to demonstrate the exercises, tell people about the persecution, collect signatures on a petition to end it, and hold a march. Representatives from New Zealand’s religious, legal, and political communities attended and spoke at the event to call for an end to the human rights abuses.
Practitioners demonstrate the exercises at Commercial Bay in Auckland on July 18. (Minghui.org)
People learn the Falun Gong exercises. (Minghui.org)
People learn about the persecution and sign a petition calling for it to end. (Minghui.org)
People Learn About Falun Gong and the Persecution
Many people stopped to watch practitioners demonstrate the Falun Gong exercises. Some of them asked for more information, while others copied the practitioners’ movements and did the exercises.
Practitioners then held a march in the center of Auckland to raise awareness of the CCP’s persecution.
March in the center of Auckland (Minghui.org)
Safeguarding Freedom of Belief
Chris Newman addresses the rally. (Minghui.org)
In addressing the rally, Chris Newman, secretary of the NZ Direct Democracy Movement, recalled that since July 20, 1999, the CCP has conducted a nationwide campaign aimed at eliminating Falun Dafa. Millions of ordinary Chinese who simply wished to improve their character, their health, and their spiritual lives suddenly became targets in one of the largest campaigns of religious persecution in modern history. They have endured arbitrary detention, imprisonment, forced labor, and torture, and are even subjected forced organ harvesting.
He described how the CCP has extended this persecution to other countries by conducting transnational repression through its United Front networks, affiliated organizations, state-controlled media, coordinated social media campaigns, and overseas influence operations.
“Here in New Zealand, during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit in 2024, Falun Gong practitioners who peacefully exercised their democratic right to protest were harassed and physically assaulted in broad daylight,” he said.
He called on New Zealand society to uphold freedom of belief, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. He urged the government to safeguard democracy. He said that the persecution of Falun Gong is not only a Chinese issue but a human rights issue. “Whenever the freedoms of one peaceful community are attacked, the freedoms of every community become less secure,” he said.
Sanctions and Legislation to Help Stop the Persecution
Human rights lawyer Kerry Gore addresses the rally. (Minghui.org)
Kerry Gore said that the CCP’s 27-year-long persecution has been documented and condemned by international organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Freedom House.
He said that, despite the brutal persecution, “Falun Gong practitioners have responded not with hatred or violence, but with extraordinary courage and compassion. Every day, many continue to peacefully tell others about what is happening. They believe that truth is stronger than fear and that conscience is stronger than oppression.
“We can encourage our elected representatives to place human rights at the center of New Zealand’s engagement with China. We can support legislation, including Magnitsky-style sanctions, to hold accountable those responsible for serious human rights abuses. We can advocate for measures that prevent organ transplant tourism and ensure that no one profits from, or becomes complicit in, the exploitation of prisoners of conscience.
“History teaches us that injustice flourishes when good people say nothing. But history also shows that determined individuals, acting together, can help bring about meaningful change.”
Justice Will Prevail
Rev. Stuart Vogel addressed the rally. (Minghui.org)
Rev. Stuart Vogel, a Presbyterian minister in New Zealand, expressed his support for Falun Gong at the rally. He said that the practitioners protesting the persecution for 27 years was admirable. “The communist regime cannot last forever,” he said. “Justice will prevail.”
Regarding the CCP’s transnational repression, he said that the most important thing was to raise awareness and let more people know about the CCP’s infiltration and repression. New Zealand is an open and free country, and everyone should discuss the issue openly and support those affected so that transnational repression will be no more.
Upholding Common Values
When Bella, a democracy advocate, first heard of Falun Gong in 2000, she was influenced by the CCP’s information censorship and propaganda. She later realized that what the CCP suppresses are those who seek truth, freedom, and justice.
“It was during the three years of the COVID-19 pandemic that I finally saw the true nature of the Chinese Communist regime. The CCP’s extreme ‘zero-COVID’ policy opened my eyes,” she said. “After I came to New Zealand, I truly began to understand how precious freedom is.
“By living according to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, they [practitioners] harmed no one. Yet, for their beliefs, countless practitioners have been subjected to years of imprisonment, torture, and credible allegations of forced organ harvesting—atrocities that have shocked the conscience of the world.”
She said that the CCP’s persecution is not directed at Falun Gong alone but every citizen who seeks freedom of belief, freedom of expression, and fundamental human rights. “Therefore, supporting Falun Gong’s peaceful resistance to persecution is about far more than defending one faith or one community.
“It’s about defending the fundamental rights and freedoms of every human being. It is about safeguarding the universal values of freedom, human dignity, justice, and compassion—values that unite us all,” she said.
People Learn the Falun Gong Exercises
Ayoub Sandali (Minghui.org)
Many people watched the practitioners demonstrate the exercises, and some were interested in learning them. Ayoub Sandali, a tourist from Morocco, and his friend did the exercises and said they felt refreshed afterward.
Ayoub said he first heard about Falun Gong in Dubai two years ago and was impressed with the practice, so when he saw practitioners doing the exercises at the event in New Zealand, he joined them.
Ayoub said, “We will learn more about Falun Gong by browsing its website. We hope to join you and do the exercises again.”
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Category: July 20 Events
