Beachgoers at Mission Bay were surprised by a large flash mob last weekend.

The mob of about 50 people broke into a choreographed routine to the catchy Korean pop song Gangnam Style by Psy.

The Gangnam Style dance craze involves dancers galloping on an imaginary horse followed by a lasso motion. The song has attracted more than 450 million YouTube views.

The performance was organised by a group of AUT University students to promote the upcoming Auckland Carnival in Glen Innes, which is an annual event celebrating the region's diverse cultures.

It will showcase cultural acts from community groups in the spirit of carnivals around the world to celebrate diversity.

Flash mobbers wore colourful costumes, traditional lei and Mexican hats in keeping with Auckland Carnival's cultural theme.

Mission Bay resident Marissa Motu stopped to see what all the commotion was about.

"The dance was so much fun. I wish I knew this was being organised so I could have learned the moves beforehand. It was only two minutes though and a lot of us wanted to do it again so they did the whole thing twice. It was great," she says.

Orakei councillor Cameron Brewer joined the flash mob and says it was a colourful afternoon.

"Everyone really got into the spirit of the carnival. It was a great collaboration of the Glen Innes Business Association and AUT. Everyone was in such a positive frame of mind and didn't let potential embarrassment get in the way of enjoying themselves," he says.

Go to carnival.org.nz for more information.

- © Fairfax NZ News