AUCKLAND, March 23 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand ethnic communities celebrated the Race Relations Day with multicultural performance and national solidarity Friday night.
The Fourth Race Relations Day Multicultural Festival was hosted by the Federation of the Chinese Association of New Zealand, which is dedicated to foster a vibrant community for Chinese New Zealanders.
The event came after last Friday's Christchurch terrorist attack, which killed 50 people. Participants paid tribute to the innocent victims and vowed to stay together with love and unity.
Steven Wong, director of the Federation of the Chinese Association of New Zealand, said in the opening remark that the United Nations' Race Relations Day is celebrated by New Zealand ethnic communities as they live peacefully together.
"We strongly condemn the act of racism and terrorism. New Zealand Chinese community loves peace and lives harmoniously with many other ethnic groups in New Zealand. By hosting this event, we are showcasing a rich culture and peaceful cohabitation of ethnic groups in New Zealand society," said Wong.
Tang Xin, Consul of China's Consulate-General in Auckland, praised the New Zealand Chinese community for its contribution and commitment to the New Zealand multicultural society, citing the generous donation made by the local and visiting Teochow group for the Christchurch attack victims.
Tang also reiterated the strong relations between China and New Zealand and its cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative.
Guests of the day included members of parliament from the governing Labour Party, opposition National Party and Act Party, city councilors, local board members and community leaders.
On behalf of the minister for ethnic communities, Hon Carmel Sepuloni led the Labour Party MPs by addressing the importance of multiculturalism and social diversity.
"We are a country with 200 ethnic groups and 160 ethnic languages. We stay together to celebrate our multi-culture. We give no tolerance to racism and cultural discrimination," she said.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff began his speech by tri-lingual greetings to the audience, who are a mix of ethnic identities.
Goff denounced the Christchurch gunman's motivation. "New Zealanders are committed to build a society that harbours cultural and religious freedom. The killer failed to separate us. Rather, New Zealanders are stronger and united with love and hope."
National MP Hon Alfred Ngaro acknowledged the Federation of the Chinese Association of New Zealand in his speech for its efforts to unite the ethnic groups and to celebrate "our culture, our people and our language" for hosting the Race Relations Day Multicultural Festival for four consecutive years.
Performers from Chinese, Russian, Chilean, Korean, Mongolian, Romanian, Spain and Pacific background showcased their ethnic dances, music and instrument at Saturday night's Multicultural Festival.
