As the Chinese Lunar New Year is approaching, New Zealand Governor-General Anand Satyanand and Prime Minister Helen Clark have sent Chinese New Year messages to the Chinese community.

In his message, Satyanand said the festivities occurring throughout New Zealand at this time not only celebrate the traditions of the Chinese New Year and of Chinese culture, but also recognize the contribution of people of Chinese descent to New Zealand.

"Throughout a combination of hard work and enterprise, those of Chinese descent have added value to New Zealand's economy and society by their participation in politics, business, the professions and wider society. About 150,000 people of Chinese descent now call New Zealand home and they also played a significant role in boosting trade between New Zealand and China" said the governor-general.

The Chinese New Year celebrations have also grown to become a celebration of color, culture and cuisine that is enjoyed by the whole community, he added.

In her message, Prime Minister Clark said the Chinese New Year is the oldest and most important festival in the Chinese calendar. These days with New Zealand's significant and growing Chinese and Korean populations it is also an increasingly important festival in the New Zealand calendar.

"For us, it is an opportunity to experience the richness of Chinese culture and to celebrate the diversity of culture in New Zealand today," Clark said.

The Labor government "values and appreciates the contribution New Zealand's Chinese community makes to our country, and we place great value on relationship with the Chinese community," she added.

The Chinese Lunar New Year falls on Feruary 7.

(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2008)