John Key opens Chinese New Year festivities

MICHAEL BRADLEY/Fairfax NZ MICHAEL BRADLEY/Fairfax NZ

Prime Minister John Key opens Chinese New Year festivities.

Prime Minister John Key opens Chinese New Year festivities.

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Red and gold, vibrant dragons have swept through Auckland, bringing good fortune in the Chinese New Year.

More than 20,000 Aucklanders are expected to celebrate the Year of the Dragon at the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day at ASB Showgrounds today.

Aromas of sticky buns, dumplings and octopus skewers thickened the air.

The crowd was delighted by acrobatics, shadow puppets and 200 stalls selling traditional Chinese delicacies, food and drink, arts and crafts.

The Year of the Dragon is a particularly auspicious year and is meant to bring happiness and good fortune.

Wendy Diffey was among the huge crowd who brought  their children to the cultural event.

"It was just a something a bit different for the kids and a chance to for the see the Prime Minister," she said.

Prime Minister John Key opened the festival, although looked slightly peculiar standing in his black suit as two dragons swirled behind him.

The Year of the Dragon would hopefully bring some good fortune to New Zealand after a year of disasters, including the Christchurch earthquakes, he said.

Key also acknowledged China as New Zealand's second largest trading partner during his speech.

"The relationship between New Zealand and China has never been stronger."

He finished with a mention of his infamous folly at Chinese New Year celebrations in 2009.

"I managed to fall off the stage and break my arm in three places, which is somewhat embarrassing."

He commended the organisers for setting up extremely safe stairs this year.

"If I fall off it I'll just be confirming I'm an idiot."

Labour Party leader David Shearer was among a number of politicians who attended the celebration.

- © Fairfax NZ News